Mark Baxter
LightNews LightNews
banner
sparkbadger.bsky.social
Mark Baxter
@sparkbadger.bsky.social
6.8K followers 5.1K following 920 posts
Writer & IIlustrator. Editor at Moseley B13 Magazine, Brum.
Free Palestine. Slava Ukraine. Animal rights. Art for social change #Resistance 🌊
Radio Show Communities #Forgotten80s #80sTM #sts70s #DLXP #ChooseDay #PtoP #MWXS #Deeper80s #TOTP
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
sparkbadger.bsky.social
Mark Baxter @sparkbadger.bsky.social · 23d
The November edition of @moseleyb13mag.bsky.social is out now! 🍂 The issue takes a look at the development of our new train stations, as well as the Kings Heath Walk of Fame tribute night for Christine McVie (Moseley School of Art alumna), and the story of Moseley’s Major John Kinsman Brodie in WWII
Reposted by Mark Baxter
sutrbirmingham.bsky.social
✨ ALL OUT FOR UNITY – JOIN THE PROCESSION OF LIGHT! ✊🏽

Bring your lanterns, torches, and banners 💜❤️🤍🧡💗

Sunday 23 Nov 2025 – 5pm
St Martin’s Square, (by the Christmas Tree)

#AllOutForUnity #TogetherWeRise #EndViolenceAgainstWomenAndGirls #StandUpToRacism #UnityInDiversity #SolidarityNotHate
WOMEN AGAINST THE FAR RIGHT BIRMINGHAM & BLACK COUNTRY BIRMINGHAM UNITY RALLY LED BY A PROCESSION OF LIGHT FOR INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS BRING YOUR TORCHES & LANTERNS 23.11.2025 - 5PM St Martin's Square, B'ham City Centre (by the Christmas Tree) ✨ ALL OUT FOR UNITY – JOIN THE PROCESSION OF LIGHT! ✊🏽 We march in solidarity to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls — to honour, remember, and rise against all forms of violence, racism, and hate. As the far right tries to divide us with fear and falsehoods, we’ll stand together — anti-racists, anti-fascists, feminists, trade unionists, and allies — united for justice, equality, and real protection for women. Bring your lanterns, torches, and banners — and fill Birmingham with light, love, and collective strength. 💜❤️🤍🧡💗 📅 Sunday 23 Nov 2025 – 5PM 📍 St Martin’s Square, Birmingham City Centre (by the Christmas Tree) #AllOutForUnity #TogetherWeRise #EndViolenceAgainstWomenAndGirls #StandUpToRacism #UnityInDiversity #SolidarityNotHate
November 13, 2025 at 11:31 AM
sparkbadger.bsky.social
"Even when they’re bad, they’re good – they’re laughing about it. You hear the relationships and the fragility."
Giles Martin on giving new life to The Beatles’ ‘Anthology’: “It reveals how human they were” www.nme.com/news/music/g...
Giles Martin on giving new life to The Beatles' 'Anthology': "It reveals how human they were"
Giles Martin the new 'Anthology' album and TV series, how much is left in the vault, the magic of AI, and Sam Mendes' four Beatles biopics
www.nme.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Reposted by Mark Baxter
rhutabhayga.bsky.social
Elizabeth Freeman (“Mumbet”) (1744–1829) - Freedom Seeker and Early Abolitionist - one of the first enslaved women to gain freedom through legal action.

#GirlPower
#RadicalWomen
Elizabeth Freeman (“Mumbet”) (1744–1829) - Freedom Seeker and Early Abolitionist Elizabeth Freeman, known as “Mum Bet,” was born enslaved in New York around 1744. She later lived in Massachusetts and was enslaved to Cl. John Ashley, a wealthy, and prominent Revolutionary War leader, who helped draft the State’s Declaration of rights, which included “All men are born free and equal, and have certain natural, essential, and unalienable rights.”. One day, the Colonel’s wife struck Mum Bet with a burning shovel for protecting her sister. Mum Bet openly wore the resulting scar on her arm in quiet defiance; it would also be evidence in the suit Mum Bet filed against her enslaver. In 1781, with the help of lawyer Theodore Sedgwick, Mum Bet and another enslaved man named Brom sued for their freedom — and won. The argument was revolutionary: Massachusetts's new constitution declared all men free and equal. Slavery contradicted this fundamental principle. Therefore, slavery was illegal in Massachusetts, and Mum Bet and Brom should be freed. Her landmark case, Brom and Bett v. Ashley, became a key precedent that helped end slavery in Massachusetts, making her one of the first enslaved women to gain freedom through legal action. After the verdict, Mum Bet chose a new name for her new life: Elizabeth Freeman. Elizabeth Freeman's case set legal precedent that helped end slavery in Massachusetts. Two years later, the Quock Walker case (1783) cemented the constitutional argument against slavery, and Massachusetts became one of the first states where slavery was effectively abolished. Freeman then went to work for the Sedgwick family, became a respected midwife and nurse, and owned her own home — a rare achievement for women of her time. Her bravery and belief in equality helped lay the groundwork for the abolition movement in America. She lived until 1829, dying at approximately 85 years old. The Sedgwick family had her buried in their family plot—an extraordinary honor that a…
November 21, 2025 at 5:09 PM
sparkbadger.bsky.social
Jane Clatworthy (b. 1966, Lancashire, England), De Profundis Clamavi, 2019
Oil, cold wax, gold leaf on canvas
November 22, 2025 at 1:00 AM
sparkbadger.bsky.social
Mani’s writhing, relentless bass was the Stone Roses’ secret sauce – it taught indie kids how to dance
His love of ‘good northern soul and funk’ was always in evidence and had a lasting impact on alternative music www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...
Mani’s writhing, relentless bass was the Stone Roses’ secret sauce – it taught indie kids how to dance | Alexis Petridis
His love of ‘good northern soul and funk’ was always in evidence and had a lasting impact on alternative music
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Reposted by Mark Baxter
wadeywade.bsky.social
Mani RIP
November 20, 2025 at 4:26 PM
sparkbadger.bsky.social
"...this is an issue that’s happening in the west and it’s becoming more and more rife because of the big F, fascism, and the rise of the right.”
Joy Crookes says UK and Ireland in ‘dark time’ amid rise of far-right politics www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...
Joy Crookes says UK and Ireland in ‘dark time’ amid rise of far-right politics
Musician’s Brixton and Dublin performances go viral after she performs Sinéad O’Connor’s anti-racism anthem Black Boys on Mopeds
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Reposted by Mark Baxter
drdind.bsky.social
Catherine Lucey from Bloomberg was called Piggy by Trump yesterday. His misogyny knows no bounds.
Catherine Lucey, Bloomberg reporter
November 18, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Reposted by Mark Baxter
wtafc.bsky.social
November 19, 2025 at 11:37 AM
sparkbadger.bsky.social
November 19, 2025 at 10:52 AM
sparkbadger.bsky.social
Jane Clatworthy (b. 1966, Lancashire, England), Unwinding Light, 2021
Charcoal, graphite, ink
November 19, 2025 at 9:27 AM
sparkbadger.bsky.social
“The Enlightenment was a way of life in Derby, and he was a documenter of that. He’s really reflecting the spirit of the age.”
Exploring the home town of the artist Joseph Wright of Derby www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/...
Exploring the home town of the artist Joseph Wright of Derby
With a new exhibition of his work at the National Gallery in London, a visit to the artist’s home town reveals the landscapes and industry that inspired him
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Reposted by Mark Baxter
bestforbritain.org
“How many refugees have been granted asylum in the UK?”

Most people overestimate the number - by a lot. With far-right figures spreading misinformation, it’s hard for the public to know the truth.

Watch the video to see just how wide the gap is between perception and reality.
November 17, 2025 at 1:10 PM
sparkbadger.bsky.social
'They can see what’s happening with Reform and the far right and they want to step in and do something positive for society': Can Birmingham’s Retrofit House help fix the UK’s terrible housing?
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
‘It’s about quality of life’: Can Birmingham’s Retrofit House help fix the UK’s terrible housing?
From flood protection and encouraging wildlife to fixing doors and reducing fuel bills, a new initiative aims to empower residents and make their homes more comfortable
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Reposted by Mark Baxter
johnnynicepainter.bsky.social
I was a bit sarcastic about BBC Radio 3 Unwind the other day. But you know what? It's rather marvellous. Not only is it genuinely healing my fractured brain, but I'm discovering all kinds of music and composers. For example:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florenc...
Florence Price - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
November 16, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Reposted by Mark Baxter
aaronparnas.bsky.social
NEW: Epstein survivors release the most powerful PSA I have ever seen.

Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
November 16, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Reposted by Mark Baxter
snig.bsky.social
It's hard to find the words to react to Shabana Mahmood's policy on asylum seekers announced today. But thankfully this should show why her position isn't tenable: the world is as dangerous as it was when she was in opposition. Her change of position is career orientated.
bsky.app/profile/padd...
paddington82.bsky.social Ricky @paddington82.bsky.social · 6d
What would 2015 Shabana think of 2025 Shabana?
November 16, 2025 at 8:46 PM
sparkbadger.bsky.social
Thandiwe Muriu (b. 1990, Nairobi, Kenya), Guardians of history, 2023
Jet Ink Print of FineArt RAG+ MATT 310g
November 17, 2025 at 12:33 AM
sparkbadger.bsky.social
Staggering number of women want to permanently leave America www.rawstory.com/women-trump/
Staggering number of women want to permanently leave America
This story was originally reported by Terri Rupar of The 19th. Meet Terri and read more of her reporting on gender, politics and policy.As The 19th makes plans for 2026, we want to hear from you! Com...
www.rawstory.com
November 16, 2025 at 10:55 AM
sparkbadger.bsky.social
Football stadiums have been historically designed with only men in mind and need to be better equipped for women players and supporters, says the company which runs professional women's football in England www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba....
WSL Football calls for more female-friendly football stadiums
The company which runs English professional women's football calls for more female-friendly stadiums.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 16, 2025 at 1:04 AM
sparkbadger.bsky.social
Delita Martin (b. 1972, Conroe, Texas, U.S.), I Shall Not Be Moved, 2025
Acrylic, relief printing, lithography, charcoal, decorative paper, and hand-stitching on paper
November 13, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Reposted by Mark Baxter
hurricaneamy.bsky.social
I thought I was depressed but I just really needed to meet @tanyadonelly.bsky.social from Belly. Tanya is the kindest and sweetest woman. And she gives great hugs! People who save you when life is hard should know that you love them.
November 9, 2025 at 7:18 PM
sparkbadger.bsky.social
I loved Technique so much. Really fell for New Order with this album. #chooseday
November 11, 2025 at 10:36 PM
sparkbadger.bsky.social
Love Open Up. Also Original with Toni Halliday. #chooseday
November 11, 2025 at 10:26 PM
sparkbadger.bsky.social
Hey, Choose the Choons! Ready for some Baggy brilliance! #chooseday
November 11, 2025 at 9:04 PM