A Poor Player
@apoorplayer.bsky.social
English teacher, HOD, in the state sector. Probably fulfilling many associated stereotypes.
Reposted by A Poor Player
(And here's the Transatlantic Sessions performance I mention, which includes a young Rufus Wainwright, his mother and aunt, Kate and Anna McGarrigle, and Emmylou Harris.) www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_Bo...
Wild Mountain Thyme - Dick Gaughan | Transatlantic Sessions | TG4
YouTube video by TradTG4
www.youtube.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:12 PM
(And here's the Transatlantic Sessions performance I mention, which includes a young Rufus Wainwright, his mother and aunt, Kate and Anna McGarrigle, and Emmylou Harris.) www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_Bo...
Reposted by A Poor Player
This reminds me of Cardinal John Henry Newman's book Definition of a Gentleman. I often cite Newman's book because it's so instructive. The term gentleman is so overwrought and frequently abused, but to the degree it means anything at all, I think Newman captures it here:
November 23, 2025 at 7:35 PM
This reminds me of Cardinal John Henry Newman's book Definition of a Gentleman. I often cite Newman's book because it's so instructive. The term gentleman is so overwrought and frequently abused, but to the degree it means anything at all, I think Newman captures it here:
A bit niche maybe but one for @englangblog.bsky.social
There are some truly unhinged bits in the piece about Glasman, as to be expected when dealing with Glasman, but seriously what the actual? That's...one hell of a conflation of terminology.
November 23, 2025 at 4:23 PM
A bit niche maybe but one for @englangblog.bsky.social
Reposted by A Poor Player
For a limited time only: Pay what you feel for The Mill!
We're launching a campaign to get 1,000 new subscribers.
If we succeed, we'll fulfil six pledges, chosen by our readers.
Read the pledges and sign up by clicking the link below!
We're launching a campaign to get 1,000 new subscribers.
If we succeed, we'll fulfil six pledges, chosen by our readers.
Read the pledges and sign up by clicking the link below!
November 21, 2025 at 3:59 PM
For a limited time only: Pay what you feel for The Mill!
We're launching a campaign to get 1,000 new subscribers.
If we succeed, we'll fulfil six pledges, chosen by our readers.
Read the pledges and sign up by clicking the link below!
We're launching a campaign to get 1,000 new subscribers.
If we succeed, we'll fulfil six pledges, chosen by our readers.
Read the pledges and sign up by clicking the link below!
Stuart Broad's reaction is amazing but his suit is even better. #TheCricket
www.skysports.com/cricket/vide...
www.skysports.com/cricket/vide...
The Ashes: Stuart Broad left stunned during England’s day two batting collapse
Sky Sports Stuart Broad was left stunned as Mitchell Starc took Joe Roots wicket during England’s day-two batting collapse. Pictures courtesy of @7Cricket.
www.skysports.com
November 22, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Stuart Broad's reaction is amazing but his suit is even better. #TheCricket
www.skysports.com/cricket/vide...
www.skysports.com/cricket/vide...
Reposted by A Poor Player
Winter conducts its slow seduction. It has disrobed the trees, its cold kisses make them shiver. Revelation of their wooden bones offers us a new, intimate language. They speak of swelling dark and coming ice. They speak their lover's secret names. – #EmilyCBanting, 1981 #Winter
November 22, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Winter conducts its slow seduction. It has disrobed the trees, its cold kisses make them shiver. Revelation of their wooden bones offers us a new, intimate language. They speak of swelling dark and coming ice. They speak their lover's secret names. – #EmilyCBanting, 1981 #Winter
Here to recommend @manchestermill.bsky.social to everyone. Currently pay what you want to 2 months of delightful local journalism. Good for newbies to the city or old hacks (I'm sort of both)
manchestermill.co.uk/lp-3/?referr...
manchestermill.co.uk/lp-3/?referr...
Join The Mill - Quality journalism for Greater Manchester
The Mill produces local journalism that is both informative and enjoyable to read — including investigations, culture pieces and opinionated columns about Manchester's biggest talking points.
manchestermill.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Here to recommend @manchestermill.bsky.social to everyone. Currently pay what you want to 2 months of delightful local journalism. Good for newbies to the city or old hacks (I'm sort of both)
manchestermill.co.uk/lp-3/?referr...
manchestermill.co.uk/lp-3/?referr...
I would be interested to know about attitudes to pension age across professions. I can't imagine being 70 and being a full time teacher (of any stripe, level, seniority).
One in three people say the state pension should be means-tested — and one in five would scrap the triple lock. Yet only 9% support raising the pension age to 70. Our Times Wealth Survey of 4,000 taxpayers shows just how divided the country is on how to fund retirement ⬇️
One in three want the state pension means-tested
www.thetimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:16 PM
I would be interested to know about attitudes to pension age across professions. I can't imagine being 70 and being a full time teacher (of any stripe, level, seniority).
Reposted by A Poor Player
the thread just keeps getting better from here
this is easily the funniest way Elon has ever broken Grok, you can get it to choose him over anyone for anything in a hypothetical scenario
*anything*
this is easily the funniest way Elon has ever broken Grok, you can get it to choose him over anyone for anything in a hypothetical scenario
*anything*
oh my god i take it back, grok is amazing
November 20, 2025 at 8:25 PM
the thread just keeps getting better from here
this is easily the funniest way Elon has ever broken Grok, you can get it to choose him over anyone for anything in a hypothetical scenario
*anything*
this is easily the funniest way Elon has ever broken Grok, you can get it to choose him over anyone for anything in a hypothetical scenario
*anything*
Reposted by A Poor Player
This has been my worry all along with the breakfast club nonsense. You can talk about funding all you like, the long and the short of it is that school leaders end up with another job on the list, another extension to their working day, and the job becomes ever harder...
And this is from DfE advice!
And this is from DfE advice!
November 20, 2025 at 7:49 PM
This has been my worry all along with the breakfast club nonsense. You can talk about funding all you like, the long and the short of it is that school leaders end up with another job on the list, another extension to their working day, and the job becomes ever harder...
And this is from DfE advice!
And this is from DfE advice!
Don't send me an email where your message is in the subject.
November 19, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Don't send me an email where your message is in the subject.
Reposted by A Poor Player
I thought this was going to turn into a story needing its own True Crime Netflix series, but no.
This is quite something.
metro.co.uk/2025/11/18/w...
This is quite something.
metro.co.uk/2025/11/18/w...
'We invited a homeless man for dinner - he stayed for 45 years'
The man was only meant to stay for a day.
metro.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 2:35 PM
I thought this was going to turn into a story needing its own True Crime Netflix series, but no.
This is quite something.
metro.co.uk/2025/11/18/w...
This is quite something.
metro.co.uk/2025/11/18/w...
Reposted by A Poor Player
Labour MP Simon Opher - "We should stop the boats because it's dangerous, and we should stop the scapegoating of immigrants because it's wrong and cruel.
"Measures that create bureaucracy and insecurity do not offer clarity or strengthen control – they cost money, waste time and weaken the system."
"Measures that create bureaucracy and insecurity do not offer clarity or strengthen control – they cost money, waste time and weaken the system."
November 17, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Labour MP Simon Opher - "We should stop the boats because it's dangerous, and we should stop the scapegoating of immigrants because it's wrong and cruel.
"Measures that create bureaucracy and insecurity do not offer clarity or strengthen control – they cost money, waste time and weaken the system."
"Measures that create bureaucracy and insecurity do not offer clarity or strengthen control – they cost money, waste time and weaken the system."
I keep banging on about My Cultural Life on #bbcsounds but literally every ep is a cracker. Currently on Anselm Kiefer who is enjoyable strident but there is also much joy to be had from his Engliah uncertainties and occasional miscommunication with @johnwilson14.bsky.social
November 16, 2025 at 9:52 PM
I keep banging on about My Cultural Life on #bbcsounds but literally every ep is a cracker. Currently on Anselm Kiefer who is enjoyable strident but there is also much joy to be had from his Engliah uncertainties and occasional miscommunication with @johnwilson14.bsky.social
Finding balance in a Japanese mountain home | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 16, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Reposted by A Poor Player
Today is Sextidi the 26th of Brumaire in the year 234.
Brumaire is the month of mist.
Today we celebrate pistachios.#JacobinDay
More information on pistachios
Brumaire is the month of mist.
Today we celebrate pistachios.#JacobinDay
More information on pistachios
November 15, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Today is Sextidi the 26th of Brumaire in the year 234.
Brumaire is the month of mist.
Today we celebrate pistachios.#JacobinDay
More information on pistachios
Brumaire is the month of mist.
Today we celebrate pistachios.#JacobinDay
More information on pistachios
Reposted by A Poor Player
Frankly, at this point it'd be nice if they just delivered something for some interest group of some kind, have at least one group of people who wants to reelect them
November 15, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Frankly, at this point it'd be nice if they just delivered something for some interest group of some kind, have at least one group of people who wants to reelect them
Truly the late 90s is the best time for Top of the Pops.
November 14, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Truly the late 90s is the best time for Top of the Pops.
I'd add Desert Island Discs, Bleak House, the Olympics (and other sports) coverage, Mary Beard, The Office, The Thick of It, its BBC4 docs, University Challenge and Only Connect, BBC bitesize...
2000-now: Storyville, I May Destroy You, In Our Time, Springwatch, 6 Music, Happy Valley, RuPaul's Drag Race UK, Gardener's World, A House Through Time, Fleabag, WILTY, Top Gear, Gone Fishing, This Country, CBBC, Dr Who, The Office, Sherlock, Wolf Hall, Glastonbury, Only Connect, The Traitors.
November 11, 2025 at 9:14 PM
I'd add Desert Island Discs, Bleak House, the Olympics (and other sports) coverage, Mary Beard, The Office, The Thick of It, its BBC4 docs, University Challenge and Only Connect, BBC bitesize...
I think I have finally found a helpful use of ChatGPT and its ilk.
I get it to create substandard work (eg sentences without correct punctuation, description that is inconsistent in tone and mood) so my class can correct and improve it - without publicly injuring any individual.
I get it to create substandard work (eg sentences without correct punctuation, description that is inconsistent in tone and mood) so my class can correct and improve it - without publicly injuring any individual.
November 10, 2025 at 8:17 PM
I think I have finally found a helpful use of ChatGPT and its ilk.
I get it to create substandard work (eg sentences without correct punctuation, description that is inconsistent in tone and mood) so my class can correct and improve it - without publicly injuring any individual.
I get it to create substandard work (eg sentences without correct punctuation, description that is inconsistent in tone and mood) so my class can correct and improve it - without publicly injuring any individual.
It's nice to realise your parents have evolving ethics: my Dad used to donate to the RNLI but no longer does because of published issues about sexism. He does however donate to Wikipedia.
November 7, 2025 at 6:54 PM
It's nice to realise your parents have evolving ethics: my Dad used to donate to the RNLI but no longer does because of published issues about sexism. He does however donate to Wikipedia.
I understand that lots of people in teaching like to moan about things. But it's very frustrating when your 'moan' is an actual issue - for which you have suggested a couple of viable solutions - and people still aren't interested.
November 6, 2025 at 8:13 PM
I understand that lots of people in teaching like to moan about things. But it's very frustrating when your 'moan' is an actual issue - for which you have suggested a couple of viable solutions - and people still aren't interested.
I enjoyed @manchestermill.bsky.social on BBC in Salford but I would have been interested to know - of those who moved up, how many were actually Londoners/from the south east?
It strikes me that lots of people move down for work (as I did) so coming back up less of an issue?
It strikes me that lots of people move down for work (as I did) so coming back up less of an issue?
November 6, 2025 at 8:11 PM
I enjoyed @manchestermill.bsky.social on BBC in Salford but I would have been interested to know - of those who moved up, how many were actually Londoners/from the south east?
It strikes me that lots of people move down for work (as I did) so coming back up less of an issue?
It strikes me that lots of people move down for work (as I did) so coming back up less of an issue?
Shetland is absolutely what one needs for the November evenings.
November 6, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Shetland is absolutely what one needs for the November evenings.
Reposted by A Poor Player
I mean, I see what they mean, but the "in the entire 204-year-old history of this publication, only 15 zero-star reviews have ever been written" is a tad misleading. As if early 19thC Guardian writers were penning "the Manchester Guardian gives Lord Liverpool's new Corn Laws ZERO STARS" articles.
November 5, 2025 at 5:16 PM
I mean, I see what they mean, but the "in the entire 204-year-old history of this publication, only 15 zero-star reviews have ever been written" is a tad misleading. As if early 19thC Guardian writers were penning "the Manchester Guardian gives Lord Liverpool's new Corn Laws ZERO STARS" articles.