The Gearwitch
@gearwitch.bsky.social
My friends call me Trish. Elderly, Wiccan & Gender Queer. Politically I'm a pragmatic Socialist with a strong committment to human rights - do what you will but harm none. I live in the rural South-West of England. I write Fantasy and build old cars.
Reposted by The Gearwitch
Oh, what an absolutely great system it was, too. Honest.
Four farthings to a penny
Twelve pennies to a shilling
Twenty shillings to a pound
Try working that out to give change when electronic cash registers hadn't been invented yet.
I'm old. I was there....
Four farthings to a penny
Twelve pennies to a shilling
Twenty shillings to a pound
Try working that out to give change when electronic cash registers hadn't been invented yet.
I'm old. I was there....
Dan wasn't even born before decimalisation (nor was he anywhere near the UK when he was born) but still he yearns for Britain's pre-decimal times 55 years later.
February 16, 2026 at 8:57 PM
Oh, what an absolutely great system it was, too. Honest.
Four farthings to a penny
Twelve pennies to a shilling
Twenty shillings to a pound
Try working that out to give change when electronic cash registers hadn't been invented yet.
I'm old. I was there....
Four farthings to a penny
Twelve pennies to a shilling
Twenty shillings to a pound
Try working that out to give change when electronic cash registers hadn't been invented yet.
I'm old. I was there....
Does anyone in this current administration even bother to think things out before issuing this sort of stuff? Particularly when it seems that the benefits of carrying it out appear to be pretty minimal....
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
New UK border rules for dual nationals are discriminatory against women, campaigners say
British women in Spain and Greece face ‘huge problems’ entering UK because of differing surname rules
www.theguardian.com
February 16, 2026 at 2:36 PM
Does anyone in this current administration even bother to think things out before issuing this sort of stuff? Particularly when it seems that the benefits of carrying it out appear to be pretty minimal....
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by The Gearwitch
This from Stella Creasy is spot on.
February 14, 2026 at 9:10 AM
This from Stella Creasy is spot on.
Reposted by The Gearwitch
Reposted by The Gearwitch
As something of a specialist in mitigation, “Actually I took my children with me to Paedo Island” is not what I would open with.
February 11, 2026 at 9:16 AM
As something of a specialist in mitigation, “Actually I took my children with me to Paedo Island” is not what I would open with.
Reposted by The Gearwitch
Reform MPs Accused of Pandering to Putin After Skipping Russian Interference Debate
Nigel Farage’s party refused to attend the debate, after more than 100,000 people signed petition demanding a public inquiry into Russian interference in British politics
bylinetimes.com/2026/02/10/r...
Nigel Farage’s party refused to attend the debate, after more than 100,000 people signed petition demanding a public inquiry into Russian interference in British politics
bylinetimes.com/2026/02/10/r...
Reform MPs Accused of Pandering to Putin After Skipping Russian Interference Debate
Nigel Farage's party refused to attend the debate, called after more than 100,000 people signed a petition demanding a public inquiry into Russian interference in British politics
bylinetimes.com
February 10, 2026 at 6:19 PM
Reform MPs Accused of Pandering to Putin After Skipping Russian Interference Debate
Nigel Farage’s party refused to attend the debate, after more than 100,000 people signed petition demanding a public inquiry into Russian interference in British politics
bylinetimes.com/2026/02/10/r...
Nigel Farage’s party refused to attend the debate, after more than 100,000 people signed petition demanding a public inquiry into Russian interference in British politics
bylinetimes.com/2026/02/10/r...
Reposted by The Gearwitch
This country was set up for the enjoyment, convenience, and protection of rich White men from day one.
That is how we ended up where we are now.
That is how we ended up where we are now.
February 10, 2026 at 7:28 PM
This country was set up for the enjoyment, convenience, and protection of rich White men from day one.
That is how we ended up where we are now.
That is how we ended up where we are now.
Reposted by The Gearwitch
Just a little memory refresh...
February 10, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Just a little memory refresh...
People are complicated. Even politicians.
Who knew?
Good write up on what promises to be a very interesting book.
www.theguardian.com/books/2026/f...
Who knew?
Good write up on what promises to be a very interesting book.
www.theguardian.com/books/2026/f...
Gordon Brown by James Macintyre review – a very different kind of politician
A new biography reveals Brown to be a man of exceptional vision and probity – what a contrast with today’s politics
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 3:32 PM
People are complicated. Even politicians.
Who knew?
Good write up on what promises to be a very interesting book.
www.theguardian.com/books/2026/f...
Who knew?
Good write up on what promises to be a very interesting book.
www.theguardian.com/books/2026/f...
Gordon Brown has a Plan.
While I don't see Starmer being the man to implement it, it's still a Plan and, essentially, a good one..
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
While I don't see Starmer being the man to implement it, it's still a Plan and, essentially, a good one..
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
We owe it to Epstein’s victims and to British democracy to demand historic change | Gordon Brown
The abuse of women by figures such as Epstein, and of political power by the likes of Mandelson, must be confronted. As far as I am able, I will play my part, says former UK prime minister Gordon Brow...
www.theguardian.com
February 7, 2026 at 11:33 AM
Gordon Brown has a Plan.
While I don't see Starmer being the man to implement it, it's still a Plan and, essentially, a good one..
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
While I don't see Starmer being the man to implement it, it's still a Plan and, essentially, a good one..
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by The Gearwitch
Patriots don’t strut around draped in Union & St George’s flags, pissed, puffing on fags.. saying they’re AngloSaxon..
They’re multi nationals heroically saving lives, treating ppl, caring for them, reassuring them, offering a smile & a cuppa, wearing scrubs, uniforms or civvies for the UK ppl 🙏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
They’re multi nationals heroically saving lives, treating ppl, caring for them, reassuring them, offering a smile & a cuppa, wearing scrubs, uniforms or civvies for the UK ppl 🙏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
February 6, 2026 at 12:44 PM
Patriots don’t strut around draped in Union & St George’s flags, pissed, puffing on fags.. saying they’re AngloSaxon..
They’re multi nationals heroically saving lives, treating ppl, caring for them, reassuring them, offering a smile & a cuppa, wearing scrubs, uniforms or civvies for the UK ppl 🙏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
They’re multi nationals heroically saving lives, treating ppl, caring for them, reassuring them, offering a smile & a cuppa, wearing scrubs, uniforms or civvies for the UK ppl 🙏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Reposted by The Gearwitch
So true. Also, many of the Americans doing literally nothing about Epstein’s American ‘associates’ are precisely the ones lying about Europe & particularly the UK being overrun with child-rapists. It’s insane.
This is preying on my mind a bit. Jeffrey Epstein was not primarily a British scandal! So far we've removed a Prince from the Royal family, fired our US ambassador who was one of the most important political figures of the last few decades and banned the CEO of Barclays from the financial industry..
One by one, Europeans mentioned in the Epstein files who still hold political office are beginning to resign or are being forced out of office.
Meanwhile, ruled by an administration almost entirely made up of Epstein associates, the US carries on as if nothing really happened.
Meanwhile, ruled by an administration almost entirely made up of Epstein associates, the US carries on as if nothing really happened.
February 5, 2026 at 6:10 PM
So true. Also, many of the Americans doing literally nothing about Epstein’s American ‘associates’ are precisely the ones lying about Europe & particularly the UK being overrun with child-rapists. It’s insane.
Reposted by The Gearwitch
If only his gunbarrel pointed the opposite direction.
February 5, 2026 at 7:56 PM
If only his gunbarrel pointed the opposite direction.
Reposted by The Gearwitch
Well, well, well....
The great 'feminist'. The great 'defender of women'. Epstein was already a convicted child-molester but she was happy to invite him to her opening.
The wealthy look after each other.
The great 'feminist'. The great 'defender of women'. Epstein was already a convicted child-molester but she was happy to invite him to her opening.
The wealthy look after each other.
February 1, 2026 at 8:17 PM
Well, well, well....
The great 'feminist'. The great 'defender of women'. Epstein was already a convicted child-molester but she was happy to invite him to her opening.
The wealthy look after each other.
The great 'feminist'. The great 'defender of women'. Epstein was already a convicted child-molester but she was happy to invite him to her opening.
The wealthy look after each other.
Reposted by The Gearwitch
With Advance UK putting up a candidate in Gorton and Denton as well as Reform, there is a real danger of splitting the all-important thick racist fuckwit vote.
February 1, 2026 at 9:31 AM
With Advance UK putting up a candidate in Gorton and Denton as well as Reform, there is a real danger of splitting the all-important thick racist fuckwit vote.
Reposted by The Gearwitch
Just for once, Starmer's right on just about every level. If you make the mistake of believing that Andrew wasn't shagging little girls.
But even then, he's still be right.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
But even then, he's still be right.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Keir Starmer calls on Andrew to testify in US over Jeffrey Epstein links
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who was stripped of his royal titles last year, features heavily in the latest tranche of the Epstein files
www.theguardian.com
January 31, 2026 at 10:59 PM
Just for once, Starmer's right on just about every level. If you make the mistake of believing that Andrew wasn't shagging little girls.
But even then, he's still be right.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
But even then, he's still be right.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Reposted by The Gearwitch
just choked on my beverage
January 29, 2026 at 11:19 PM
just choked on my beverage
Reposted by The Gearwitch
Reposted by The Gearwitch
#nowplaying Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis youtu.be/wWKSoxG1K7w?...
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 8:34 PM
#nowplaying Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis youtu.be/wWKSoxG1K7w?...
Reposted by The Gearwitch
🇬🇧😂🇬🇧😂🇬🇧😂🇬🇧😂🇬🇧
The wonderful Coldwarsteve!
The wonderful Coldwarsteve!
January 26, 2026 at 5:41 PM
🇬🇧😂🇬🇧😂🇬🇧😂🇬🇧😂🇬🇧
The wonderful Coldwarsteve!
The wonderful Coldwarsteve!
I've got to say that this is as weird as shit.
An image of a woman walking hand in hand with a penguin (?) up a frozen Thames says nothing about the Reform candidate for Mayor of London. Apart from the fact that her P/R team must be either on some serious drugs or drunk out of their tiny minds.
An image of a woman walking hand in hand with a penguin (?) up a frozen Thames says nothing about the Reform candidate for Mayor of London. Apart from the fact that her P/R team must be either on some serious drugs or drunk out of their tiny minds.
January 25, 2026 at 3:38 PM
I've got to say that this is as weird as shit.
An image of a woman walking hand in hand with a penguin (?) up a frozen Thames says nothing about the Reform candidate for Mayor of London. Apart from the fact that her P/R team must be either on some serious drugs or drunk out of their tiny minds.
An image of a woman walking hand in hand with a penguin (?) up a frozen Thames says nothing about the Reform candidate for Mayor of London. Apart from the fact that her P/R team must be either on some serious drugs or drunk out of their tiny minds.