Mel Roxby-Mackey
@archaeoborders.bsky.social
Archaeologist of borders, Anglo-Cymric borderland and its folklore, digital humanist, University of Birmingham. Archaeologist in Residence, Offa's Dyke Association. All ops my own. archaeoborders.wordpress.com
Reposted by Mel Roxby-Mackey
Shropshire folklore includes bees - “Coorus Craiturs”!
Read Amy’s blog post and find out more.
#Folklore #History #Beelore #Folkbrliefs #Beeliefs
Read Amy’s blog post and find out more.
#Folklore #History #Beelore #Folkbrliefs #Beeliefs
Bees were once described as 'Coorus craiturs’ and have played their role in the history and folklore of Shropshire. You can read more about this lore by following the link below. 🐝 🐝 🐝
nearlyknowledgeablehistory.blogspot.com/2023/10/the-...
#Folklore #History #Bees #Beelore #Folkbeliefs
nearlyknowledgeablehistory.blogspot.com/2023/10/the-...
#Folklore #History #Bees #Beelore #Folkbeliefs
January 21, 2026 at 12:05 PM
Shropshire folklore includes bees - “Coorus Craiturs”!
Read Amy’s blog post and find out more.
#Folklore #History #Beelore #Folkbrliefs #Beeliefs
Read Amy’s blog post and find out more.
#Folklore #History #Beelore #Folkbrliefs #Beeliefs
Thank you to @mappingthemarch.bsky.social for news of the latest series of Ludlow Lectures
Home | news
ludlowlectures.wixsite.com
January 19, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Thank you to @mappingthemarch.bsky.social for news of the latest series of Ludlow Lectures
Reposted by Mel Roxby-Mackey
And of course we sing the Gloucestershire Wassail 🍏🍞🔥🍻🍎
@thelongestjohns.bsky.social
#wassail
#wassailing
youtu.be/SiBsoMh03SA?...
@thelongestjohns.bsky.social
#wassail
#wassailing
youtu.be/SiBsoMh03SA?...
Gloucestershire Wassail | The Longest Johns
YouTube video by The Longest Johns
youtu.be
January 17, 2026 at 4:42 PM
And of course we sing the Gloucestershire Wassail 🍏🍞🔥🍻🍎
@thelongestjohns.bsky.social
#wassail
#wassailing
youtu.be/SiBsoMh03SA?...
@thelongestjohns.bsky.social
#wassail
#wassailing
youtu.be/SiBsoMh03SA?...
Funnily enough, archaeologists who study past landscapes are also pretty keen on looking after them in the present too. Great news about the latest round of conservation traineeships with the lovely people @worcswt.bsky.social
We’re excited to be recruiting for our next group of conservation trainees! 🙌 🌿 ✨
Our trainee placements are a great way to get hands-on experience and build the skills needed for a career in UK wildlife conservation.
Find out more and apply via www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/jobs/conserv...
Our trainee placements are a great way to get hands-on experience and build the skills needed for a career in UK wildlife conservation.
Find out more and apply via www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/jobs/conserv...
January 17, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Funnily enough, archaeologists who study past landscapes are also pretty keen on looking after them in the present too. Great news about the latest round of conservation traineeships with the lovely people @worcswt.bsky.social
Reposted by Mel Roxby-Mackey
All over the South West of England, especially the Severn Vale, it's the time of year for the tradition of Wassailing (Old English, 'Waes Hael' meaning be well/in good spirits). We bless the apple orchards, drink spiced cider, sing, light fires and have a merry old time🔥 🍏 🍞
#wassail
#wassailling
#wassail
#wassailling
January 17, 2026 at 4:40 PM
All over the South West of England, especially the Severn Vale, it's the time of year for the tradition of Wassailing (Old English, 'Waes Hael' meaning be well/in good spirits). We bless the apple orchards, drink spiced cider, sing, light fires and have a merry old time🔥 🍏 🍞
#wassail
#wassailling
#wassail
#wassailling
Reposted by Mel Roxby-Mackey
I’m a huge fan of @g0blinegg.bsky.social If you haven’t discovered Amy’s work on Shropshire folklore 👇
In the 19th Century, Coalbrookdale was often described as ‘Hell On Earth’ due to the impact of Industrialisation. Perhaps such conditions contributed to the tragedy below. All I know is that William Maybury deserves to be remembered.
nearlyknowledgeablehistory.blogspot.com/2022/03/a-co...
nearlyknowledgeablehistory.blogspot.com/2022/03/a-co...
‘A Coalbrookdale Suicide’- Some Thoughts
Whilst researching another project, I stumbled upon the following story, and since then- I’ve found it hard to get out of my head. The head...
nearlyknowledgeablehistory.blogspot.com
January 17, 2026 at 9:05 AM
I’m a huge fan of @g0blinegg.bsky.social If you haven’t discovered Amy’s work on Shropshire folklore 👇
Thank you to @mappingthemarch.bsky.social for the notification of the half-day online seminar by the Mortimer Society 'Marcher Miscellany' on the afternoon of Saturday 31st January
Event 31-01-26 - Mortimer History Society
Marcher Miscellany
An online half-day conference
Date
Online Conference - Saturday 31st January 2026, 2.00pm to 4.45pm (join from 1.45pm)
Venue
Online Only
Programme, Synopses and
mortimerhistorysociety.org.uk
January 16, 2026 at 5:49 PM
Thank you to @mappingthemarch.bsky.social for the notification of the half-day online seminar by the Mortimer Society 'Marcher Miscellany' on the afternoon of Saturday 31st January
Plans for North East Wales national park backed by NRW, but meet with a mixed reaction
NRW backs controversial plans for new Welsh national park in face of objections
Despite opposition from local authorities, the plans are continuing to move forward
www.bordercountiesadvertizer.co.uk
January 16, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Plans for North East Wales national park backed by NRW, but meet with a mixed reaction
More news from the heritage sector. The Art Fund's Going Places exhibition programme which is dedicated to helping museums and galleries work together to share their collections with communities encompasses Long Distance Connections, a project that Museums #Worcestershire are taking part in 👇
Collections to tour in epic UK-wide collaborative project - Art Fund
Art Fund is launching Going Places, a landmark £5.36 million exhibition programme that will see 20 museums and galleries sharing their collections.
www.artfund.org
January 15, 2026 at 3:54 PM
More news from the heritage sector. The Art Fund's Going Places exhibition programme which is dedicated to helping museums and galleries work together to share their collections with communities encompasses Long Distance Connections, a project that Museums #Worcestershire are taking part in 👇
Dear lovely people @nationaltrust.org.uk Now that the plans for Ironbridge are in the public domain we're getting feedback from some of the locals about whether the events programme will be going ahead. In particular, the brass band festival. Big anniversaries (125th) are planned. Is there any news?
January 15, 2026 at 2:44 PM
Dear lovely people @nationaltrust.org.uk Now that the plans for Ironbridge are in the public domain we're getting feedback from some of the locals about whether the events programme will be going ahead. In particular, the brass band festival. Big anniversaries (125th) are planned. Is there any news?
An update from @museumsandheritage.com includes the announcement that the @nationaltrust.org.uk will be taking over the Ironbridge Gorge museums from March museumsandheritage.com/advisor/post...
National Trust to take over Ironbridge Gorge museums following £9m grant
Government announces transfer of 10 museums and 35 listed buildings within UNESCO World Heritage Site to National Trust management.
museumsandheritage.com
January 15, 2026 at 2:14 PM
An update from @museumsandheritage.com includes the announcement that the @nationaltrust.org.uk will be taking over the Ironbridge Gorge museums from March museumsandheritage.com/advisor/post...
Good news from @uochesterpress.bsky.social about this year’s Festival of Ideas at Chester which includes ‘Finding the Battle of Brunanburh: Was This Definitive Battle of 973 Located at Bromborough in the Wirral?’
January 14, 2026 at 4:18 PM
Good news from @uochesterpress.bsky.social about this year’s Festival of Ideas at Chester which includes ‘Finding the Battle of Brunanburh: Was This Definitive Battle of 973 Located at Bromborough in the Wirral?’
Thank you for sharing the news of the discovery of this nationallly significant medieval manuscript at Shrewsbury School @jimallthetime.bsky.social
An extraordinary medieval manuscript has been discovery at Shrewsbury School giving fresh insight into the development of medieval Christian writing
www.myshrewsbury.co.uk/blog/medieva...
www.myshrewsbury.co.uk/blog/medieva...
Medieval Manuscript Discovery at Shrewsbury School
The only complete copy of Richard Rolle’s Emendatio vitae found in Shrewsbury School’s Taylor Library, revealing new insight into medieval English literature.
www.myshrewsbury.co.uk
January 14, 2026 at 3:48 PM
Thank you for sharing the news of the discovery of this nationallly significant medieval manuscript at Shrewsbury School @jimallthetime.bsky.social
Reposted by Mel Roxby-Mackey
Some of you may be interested in BALH’s series of online talks in partnership with the Historic Towns Trust.
Prof Helen Fulton will be talking about medieval Brecon on Tuesday 31 March at 7.00pm.
Click here for further details and registration: www.balh.org.uk/events
Prof Helen Fulton will be talking about medieval Brecon on Tuesday 31 March at 7.00pm.
Click here for further details and registration: www.balh.org.uk/events
Forthcoming Local History Events | British Association For Local History
www.balh.org.uk
January 14, 2026 at 9:58 AM
Some of you may be interested in BALH’s series of online talks in partnership with the Historic Towns Trust.
Prof Helen Fulton will be talking about medieval Brecon on Tuesday 31 March at 7.00pm.
Click here for further details and registration: www.balh.org.uk/events
Prof Helen Fulton will be talking about medieval Brecon on Tuesday 31 March at 7.00pm.
Click here for further details and registration: www.balh.org.uk/events
My response to this article on the events at Trinity Hall, Cambridge have been bubbling around in my head for a few days. I think @profdanhicks.bsky.social nailed it. There are colleges at Cambridge where state school students are welcomed and flourish. But to pretend that elsewhere there isn't. . .
a slap in the face for state school students
a slap in the face for all who believe in Oxbridge admissions according to merit rather than class privilege
and a reminder of how easily hard-won progress can be undone by a few activists on a college governing body
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
a slap in the face for all who believe in Oxbridge admissions according to merit rather than class privilege
and a reminder of how easily hard-won progress can be undone by a few activists on a college governing body
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Cambridge college to target elite private schools for student recruitment
Exclusive: Trinity Hall’s new policy described as a ‘slap in the face’ for state-educated students
www.theguardian.com
January 13, 2026 at 4:12 PM
My response to this article on the events at Trinity Hall, Cambridge have been bubbling around in my head for a few days. I think @profdanhicks.bsky.social nailed it. There are colleges at Cambridge where state school students are welcomed and flourish. But to pretend that elsewhere there isn't. . .
This is such a brilliant find. Port talbot on the map for all the best reasons www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Margam park Roman villa find could be 'Port Talbot's Pompeii'
The largest Roman villa ever found in Wales lies less than a metre under Margam Country Park.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 12, 2026 at 9:52 PM
This is such a brilliant find. Port talbot on the map for all the best reasons www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Not the Anglo-Cymric border, but its medieval related and there are cats 👍
We've been pushing the boundaries of NotebookLM today and have researched some medieval history for you.
We are very proud to now present the full Bayeux Tapestry, with Cats ! 😺🏹👑
View the full tapestry at tripgeo.com/Stories/Meow...
#NotebookLM #BayeuxTapestry #Cats #Caturday #History #AIArt
We are very proud to now present the full Bayeux Tapestry, with Cats ! 😺🏹👑
View the full tapestry at tripgeo.com/Stories/Meow...
#NotebookLM #BayeuxTapestry #Cats #Caturday #History #AIArt
January 10, 2026 at 7:20 PM
Not the Anglo-Cymric border, but its medieval related and there are cats 👍
More fabulous pictures highlighting the continuity of settlement at Beeston Castle. Thank you for sharing @lemurpatrol.bsky.social
A nice cold walk up Beeston Castle in the wintery sun. Bronze age settlements, a medieval castle and a Civil War siege where they ate their cats.
January 10, 2026 at 6:36 PM
More fabulous pictures highlighting the continuity of settlement at Beeston Castle. Thank you for sharing @lemurpatrol.bsky.social
Reposted by Mel Roxby-Mackey
This Thursday evening at 8pm UK, I will be hosting the splendiforous #CuratorRob (Dr Rob Symmonds) from Fishbourne @romanpalace.bsky.social for an evening of hirsute archaeological fun.
A once-only event ... be there live or miss out forever.
bit.ly/flaevents to book
A once-only event ... be there live or miss out forever.
bit.ly/flaevents to book
MOSAICS! ... HYPOCAUST CONTROVERSY!! ... BEARDS!!!
Don't forget that this Thursday evening at 8pm, online via Zoom, there is a once-only opportunity to learn all about those things and more as we host the fabulous #CuratorRob from @romanpalace.bsky.social
Tickets £5 + fee from bit.ly/flaevents
Don't forget that this Thursday evening at 8pm, online via Zoom, there is a once-only opportunity to learn all about those things and more as we host the fabulous #CuratorRob from @romanpalace.bsky.social
Tickets £5 + fee from bit.ly/flaevents
The Folklore Library & Archive
The Folklore Library and Archive is a registered charity number 1203418 with a remit to preserve folklore materials in all formats and make them freely available for future research and education. Ou...
bit.ly
January 10, 2026 at 9:07 AM
This Thursday evening at 8pm UK, I will be hosting the splendiforous #CuratorRob (Dr Rob Symmonds) from Fishbourne @romanpalace.bsky.social for an evening of hirsute archaeological fun.
A once-only event ... be there live or miss out forever.
bit.ly/flaevents to book
A once-only event ... be there live or miss out forever.
bit.ly/flaevents to book
This is a cracking thread from @dreadships.bsky.social I absolutely agree with one of the replies - how is this not a film?
This here is one of the great U-boat hunters of the Second World War.
Grab a comfy seat and a glass of something pleasing. We're going on a journey...
Grab a comfy seat and a glass of something pleasing. We're going on a journey...
January 10, 2026 at 10:50 AM
This is a cracking thread from @dreadships.bsky.social I absolutely agree with one of the replies - how is this not a film?
Featuring Shrewsbury, Broadway, Pontcysyllte and horse riding in Clyro!
50 inspiring travel ideas for 2026, chosen by readers: beaches, city breaks, family holidays and more
Our popular readers’ tips column has been running for 20 years. We’ve selected some highlights from the past 12 months to help you plan your 2026 adventures
www.theguardian.com
January 10, 2026 at 10:34 AM
Featuring Shrewsbury, Broadway, Pontcysyllte and horse riding in Clyro!
It’s a very long time since I was a student at Bournemouth, but I have brilliant memories of studying archaeology in Dorset. A degree in archaeology gives you so many life and professional skills 👇
Thinking of studying Archaeology at Bournemouth University ?
@megsdigs.bsky.social and @durotrigesdig.bsky.social are on hand to talk all things archaeological today!
We also have sweets (in between all the replica dead Romans 😊👍)
@buarchanth.bsky.social @bournemouthuni.bsky.social
@megsdigs.bsky.social and @durotrigesdig.bsky.social are on hand to talk all things archaeological today!
We also have sweets (in between all the replica dead Romans 😊👍)
@buarchanth.bsky.social @bournemouthuni.bsky.social
January 10, 2026 at 10:29 AM
It’s a very long time since I was a student at Bournemouth, but I have brilliant memories of studying archaeology in Dorset. A degree in archaeology gives you so many life and professional skills 👇
Thank you @inkcapjournal.bsky.social for the link through to this BBC article on the first expansion of the Forest of Dean in two centuries www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Forest of Dean expansion begins with planting of 120,000 trees
About 120,000 trees are being planted this winter to expand the Forest of Dean.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 9, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Thank you @inkcapjournal.bsky.social for the link through to this BBC article on the first expansion of the Forest of Dean in two centuries www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
As a reminder about how incredible the forces of nature can be when given a chance. . . After almost two centuries of being prevented from reaching their breeding grounds further up the Severn by four weirs recent DNA studies have established that twaite shad are once again making that journey
January 8, 2026 at 4:54 PM
As a reminder about how incredible the forces of nature can be when given a chance. . . After almost two centuries of being prevented from reaching their breeding grounds further up the Severn by four weirs recent DNA studies have established that twaite shad are once again making that journey