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Richard Long

@rclongauthor.bsky.social

480 followers 180 following 1.3K posts

Full time dad and part time railway author. New book out now: ‘Southern Way Special No.20: Isle of Wight Railways in the 1950s’ https://www.crecy.co.uk/southern-way-special-issue-no.-20 https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/rclong

www.crecy.co.uk

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Richard Long @rclongauthor.bsky.social · 6d

Proud to announce that my book “Upgrading the Isle of Wight’s Railway” has won Third Prize 🏆 in the Non-Fiction category at yesterday’s 2025 Isle of Wight Book Awards!
@penandswordbooks.bsky.social @iowlf.bsky.social

Prize giving certificate from the Isle of Wight Book Awards

The location the Isle of Wight Book Awards. Basically it’s a room full of flags with a large screen behind the judges’ table reading “Book Awards”

Cover of the book “Upgrading the Isle of Wight’s Railway” with a sticker attached reading “Third Place Book Awards 2025”

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Richard Long @rclongauthor.bsky.social · 3h

I’d forgotten she puts on some clothes to sit on the gun. Actually, I’d forgotten quite how little she wears for the rest of the video.

Richard Long @rclongauthor.bsky.social · 3h

The birthday cake scene is below decks so presumably a studio set?

Richard Long @rclongauthor.bsky.social · 3h

Important to have a place to sit and look at clocks.

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Reposted by Richard Long

Marc Morris @marcmorris.bsky.social · 7h

Today's the 959th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, so obviously I'm reposting my scenes from the Bayeux Tapestry in Playmobil.

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bleary @bleary.off-the-records.com · 21h

If anyone needs me I will be in the museum, lying down next to the bog bodies.

Did people really memorize phone numbers before cell phones, or is that just a movie thing?
2? Questions
I was watching some old shows from the 90s and noticed people would just dial numbers from memory - like they'd call their friends or family without looking anything up.
Made me wonder if that was actually normal back then? Did people genuinely have all their important numbers memorized, or did most folks keep a little address book or written list nearby?

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Richard Long @rclongauthor.bsky.social · 20h

Sorry - that would have made more sense if I actually included the link. This Reddit discussion: www.reddit.com/r/Darts/comm...

From the Darts community on Reddit

Explore this post and more from the Darts community

www.reddit.com

Reposted by Richard Long

Greg Jenner @gregjenner.bsky.social · 1d

This is a huge moment in linear broadcast TV. When I began my TV career in 2005, even history documentaries were expected to get 2 million viewers

Michael Savage @michaelsavage.bsky.social · 1d

Last month, something unusual happened in TV - none of the main channels got a million viewers at 9pm. The bigger problem was it happened a 2nd & 3rd time soon after.

Another unwelcome landmark for linear TV & our shrinking shared TV experience.

Does it matter?

www.theguardian.com/media/2025/o...

‘It was a binding experience’: TV producers mourn decline of hot 9pm slot

UK broadcasters used to rely on big audiences at 9pm, but as viewing habits change, figures are falling below the 1m mark

www.theguardian.com

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Richard Long @rclongauthor.bsky.social · 21h

According to this Reddit discussion it was probably either 1984 or 85 - that’s several years before Die Hard, I think.

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Richard Long @rclongauthor.bsky.social · 1d

With an AK47.

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Hannah Cooper @hannahcooper.bsky.social · 2d

Unexpected rabbit hole today is discovering that "Phwoar!" was first recorded by the dictionary in 1976, and 1972's Carry On Matron may be its first film appearance.

I thought I'd found an earlier 60s TV use, but it seems "Phwoar!" is firmly a 70s phenomenon.

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Richard Long @rclongauthor.bsky.social · 2d

I knew the Wendy/Peter Pan thing. Also that Wendy houses originate in Peter Pan as well.

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Rob Bonser-Wilton @waterloosunsetrail.bsky.social · 2d

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Richard Long @rclongauthor.bsky.social · 2d

Yes, I don’t usually go there either - just happened to see this one by chance.

Richard Long @rclongauthor.bsky.social · 2d

Finally I’m seeing places I recognise!

Richard Long @rclongauthor.bsky.social · 2d

Aha!

Richard Long @rclongauthor.bsky.social · 2d

Possibly the St Ives branch?

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ferrettrash.bsky.social @ferrettrash.bsky.social · 3d

Is there a more attractive location on the whole network than the Barmouth bridge? This view is from the summer of 2021.

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Richard Long @rclongauthor.bsky.social · 2d

It didn’t (normally) work out of Yarmouth - it was a Portsmouth-Ryde boat.

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Phil Marsh @marshrail.bsky.social · 3d

Paddle Steamer PS Ryde may not make the 1700hrs from Yarmouth today. Or tomorrow....... @isleofwightarchive.bsky.social

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Richard Long @rclongauthor.bsky.social · 2d

What are all those odd buses doing there?

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NETWORK SOUTHEAST LATCHMERE 🟥🟦⬜️ @nse-latchmere.bsky.social · 3d

Buses and a train on the Isle of Wight.

#buses #trains #isleofwight

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Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · 3d

Margaret Thatcher recognised the need to provide asylum for refugees, as well as the need to distinguish them from immigrants. No hope of that from her successors, of course.

Ian Gow MP (Thatcher's PPS) to Tony Marlow MP 23 August 1979:

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Andrew Harrison @nndroid.bsky.social · 2d

The BBC just can’t stop wasting licence fee payers’ money.

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Bookshop.org UK @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social · 3d

It's Bookshop Day! Get down to your local independent bookshop and buy a book or three. No local bookshop? Snap up a book with us 10-12 October and you could WIN a £250 gift card.

EVERY sale supports indie booksellers, not billionaires. uk.bookshop.org/lists/win-a-...

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The Society of Authors @societyofauthors.bsky.social · 3d

Today is Bookshop Day, a day to celebrate ALL bookshops on our high streets.

Bookshops are an integral part of an author's livelihood, and we celebrate all the talented booksellers who share their guidance and expertise.

Visit your local bookshop today and show them your support.

#bookshopday

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