Simon Holledge
@holledge.bsky.social
Conservationist | Hoffmannist | Scaligero | Tōfuist | Kyotophile | Internationalist | 33 operahouses/48 countries | 老霍 | Born@310 ppm | 🦋🏴🇪🇺🇯🇵🇨🇳🇭🇰 | Pro devolved & empowered local democracy | #SaveEdinburghDemocracy | Profile writer
Reposted by Simon Holledge
Breaking news. Rachel Reeves has a sense of humour: “And finally, Madam Deputy Speaker, we are ramping up sanctions on Russia and we are freezing known Russian assets. But let me be clear, I don't actually mean the honourable Member for Clacton."
November 27, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Breaking news. Rachel Reeves has a sense of humour: “And finally, Madam Deputy Speaker, we are ramping up sanctions on Russia and we are freezing known Russian assets. But let me be clear, I don't actually mean the honourable Member for Clacton."
Leith Walk, Edinburgh, NEW JERSEY. Are you dazzled? Do you get the vibrancy? Are you transported with delight? Do you have an impulse to rush and buy something? Psst ... do you have a wall space to sell? FYI @leithcentralcc.bsky.social @thecockburn.bsky.social
November 26, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Leith Walk, Edinburgh, NEW JERSEY. Are you dazzled? Do you get the vibrancy? Are you transported with delight? Do you have an impulse to rush and buy something? Psst ... do you have a wall space to sell? FYI @leithcentralcc.bsky.social @thecockburn.bsky.social
Reposted by Simon Holledge
Really good Edinburgh Inquirer article from Cory Boyle here on the need to take bold steps to tackle Edinburgh’s current and future congestion woes.
www.edinburghinquirer.co.uk/p/were-one-o...
www.edinburghinquirer.co.uk/p/were-one-o...
We're one of the most congested cities in the UK. Here's how to tackle that.
Award-winning engineer Corey Boyle on breaking the Capital's over-reliance on the car
www.edinburghinquirer.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Really good Edinburgh Inquirer article from Cory Boyle here on the need to take bold steps to tackle Edinburgh’s current and future congestion woes.
www.edinburghinquirer.co.uk/p/were-one-o...
www.edinburghinquirer.co.uk/p/were-one-o...
The rich shouldn't be able to buy a dominant voice in politics. Please add your name to @electoralreform.bsky.social's call to put a cap on how much they can donate in the #ElectionsBill
action.electoral-reform.org.uk/page/179420/...
action.electoral-reform.org.uk/page/179420/...
Sign now to demand an end to big money in politics
It takes 30 seconds
action.electoral-reform.org.uk
November 26, 2025 at 12:02 PM
The rich shouldn't be able to buy a dominant voice in politics. Please add your name to @electoralreform.bsky.social's call to put a cap on how much they can donate in the #ElectionsBill
action.electoral-reform.org.uk/page/179420/...
action.electoral-reform.org.uk/page/179420/...
Reposted by Simon Holledge
Thanks to City of Edinburgh Council for finding CLIPS TO SECURE THE FENCING surrounding the new turfing. So now the fencing will not blow over or be used (and broken) by people climbing onto the National Monument. A step forward!
November 25, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Thanks to City of Edinburgh Council for finding CLIPS TO SECURE THE FENCING surrounding the new turfing. So now the fencing will not blow over or be used (and broken) by people climbing onto the National Monument. A step forward!
COMPULSORY RELIGION in schools: I'm supporting the Humanist Society campaign. Please contact your MSP and tell them why it is important to give pupils the right to opt out of organised religion. humanist.eaction.org.uk/religious-ob...
Tell your MSP why school pupils deserve the right to opt out of religious worship
humanist.eaction.org.uk
November 24, 2025 at 9:10 PM
COMPULSORY RELIGION in schools: I'm supporting the Humanist Society campaign. Please contact your MSP and tell them why it is important to give pupils the right to opt out of organised religion. humanist.eaction.org.uk/religious-ob...
Politics isn't working. It's time to call time on the broken culture in Westminster and have a fresh start with a fair voting system. Add your name to @electoralreform.bsky.social's call to #MakeSeatsMatchVotes
action.electoral-reform.org.uk/page/3782/pe...
action.electoral-reform.org.uk/page/3782/pe...
First Past the Post means millions of our votes make no difference to parliament. Add your name now to demand a fairer voting system
It only takes 30 seconds
action.electoral-reform.org.uk
November 22, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Politics isn't working. It's time to call time on the broken culture in Westminster and have a fresh start with a fair voting system. Add your name to @electoralreform.bsky.social's call to #MakeSeatsMatchVotes
action.electoral-reform.org.uk/page/3782/pe...
action.electoral-reform.org.uk/page/3782/pe...
FIRST PAST THE POST: Often, people hold their noses and vote, not for the party they most want to support but for the one they perceive as most likely to stop another party from winning in their area. That’s not real choice. That’s DAMAGE CONTROL.
electoral-reform.org.uk/forced-to-ma...
electoral-reform.org.uk/forced-to-ma...
Forced to make a tactical vote? We shouldn’t have to vote for the least bad option
Every election, millions of us head to the polling station in a conflicted state of mind – should I vote for the party I most believe in, or should tactical considerations come into pl
electoral-reform.org.uk
November 22, 2025 at 9:29 AM
FIRST PAST THE POST: Often, people hold their noses and vote, not for the party they most want to support but for the one they perceive as most likely to stop another party from winning in their area. That’s not real choice. That’s DAMAGE CONTROL.
electoral-reform.org.uk/forced-to-ma...
electoral-reform.org.uk/forced-to-ma...
Reposted by Simon Holledge
FYI @spurtle.bsky.social @ntbcc.bsky.social @thecockburn.bsky.social @policescotland.bsky.social @collective-edin.bsky.social @edinburghcouncil.bsky.social @edinburghminute.bsky.social @edinreporter.bsky.social
BALACLAVA-CLAD DIRT BIKERS on Hume Walk, Calton Hill on Wednesday 12 November 2025 at 15.40. They were using both electric & petrol motorbikes to do stunts and cut up the turf. One rider sprayed us with mud. One bike had a number plate, but it was not possible to read it from the video.
November 14, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Reposted by Simon Holledge
Booking for 'WHERE'S THE VOLCANO?' is now open on Eventbrite.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wheres-the...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wheres-the...
November 20, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Booking for 'WHERE'S THE VOLCANO?' is now open on Eventbrite.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wheres-the...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wheres-the...
Reposted by Simon Holledge
Looking forward to finding out about the #geology and history of Calton Hill with @caltonhill.bsky.social & @geowalks.scot at this event next week! 🌋
"Where’s the volcano? The story of the making of Calton Hill", Tues 25 November, 6pm, online
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wheres-the...
"Where’s the volcano? The story of the making of Calton Hill", Tues 25 November, 6pm, online
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wheres-the...
November 20, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Looking forward to finding out about the #geology and history of Calton Hill with @caltonhill.bsky.social & @geowalks.scot at this event next week! 🌋
"Where’s the volcano? The story of the making of Calton Hill", Tues 25 November, 6pm, online
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wheres-the...
"Where’s the volcano? The story of the making of Calton Hill", Tues 25 November, 6pm, online
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wheres-the...
Reposted by Simon Holledge
ASTRONOMY on CALTON HILL: Saturday 6 December starting at the Portuguese Cannon at 12.45.
Please join the Trust and Prof. Andy Lawrence as he tells the history of the Astronomical Institution, Royal Observatory, Henderson & Piazzi Smyth, time ball & time gun, Maria Short, and City Observatory. 1/
Please join the Trust and Prof. Andy Lawrence as he tells the history of the Astronomical Institution, Royal Observatory, Henderson & Piazzi Smyth, time ball & time gun, Maria Short, and City Observatory. 1/
November 19, 2025 at 5:44 PM
ASTRONOMY on CALTON HILL: Saturday 6 December starting at the Portuguese Cannon at 12.45.
Please join the Trust and Prof. Andy Lawrence as he tells the history of the Astronomical Institution, Royal Observatory, Henderson & Piazzi Smyth, time ball & time gun, Maria Short, and City Observatory. 1/
Please join the Trust and Prof. Andy Lawrence as he tells the history of the Astronomical Institution, Royal Observatory, Henderson & Piazzi Smyth, time ball & time gun, Maria Short, and City Observatory. 1/
Reposted by Simon Holledge
ANGUS MILLER @geowalks.scot, the well-known geologist, is giving a programme about Calton Hill’s geology on Tuesday 25 November 18.00. entitled: 'WHERE'S THE VOLCANO? THE MAKING OF CALTON HILL'. Online/Zoom. Free public event. All welcome. Contact for info/ invitation. 1/
November 19, 2025 at 1:28 PM
ANGUS MILLER @geowalks.scot, the well-known geologist, is giving a programme about Calton Hill’s geology on Tuesday 25 November 18.00. entitled: 'WHERE'S THE VOLCANO? THE MAKING OF CALTON HILL'. Online/Zoom. Free public event. All welcome. Contact for info/ invitation. 1/
Reposted by Simon Holledge
THANK YOU to our volunteers & our donor, Alan Lawson & the Seven Hills Race, for +60 square metres (m2) of turf laid today (18 Nov.) on the top of the hill. 300 m2 in total — responding to Erosion Emergency. Statement by the community & local media. @spurtle.bsky.social @edinburghminute.bsky.social
November 18, 2025 at 7:37 PM
THANK YOU to our volunteers & our donor, Alan Lawson & the Seven Hills Race, for +60 square metres (m2) of turf laid today (18 Nov.) on the top of the hill. 300 m2 in total — responding to Erosion Emergency. Statement by the community & local media. @spurtle.bsky.social @edinburghminute.bsky.social
Reposted by Simon Holledge
Another chilling aspect... The Tories simply passed a law declaring Rwanda "safe".
Do we really trust that this govt or the next won't resort to similar tactics if this finds them politically convenient?
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Do we really trust that this govt or the next won't resort to similar tactics if this finds them politically convenient?
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
November 16, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Another chilling aspect... The Tories simply passed a law declaring Rwanda "safe".
Do we really trust that this govt or the next won't resort to similar tactics if this finds them politically convenient?
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Do we really trust that this govt or the next won't resort to similar tactics if this finds them politically convenient?
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Simon Holledge
BALACLAVA-CLAD DIRT BIKERS on Hume Walk, Calton Hill on Wednesday 12 November 2025 at 15.40. They were using both electric & petrol motorbikes to do stunts and cut up the turf. One rider sprayed us with mud. One bike had a number plate, but it was not possible to read it from the video.
November 14, 2025 at 1:34 PM
BALACLAVA-CLAD DIRT BIKERS on Hume Walk, Calton Hill on Wednesday 12 November 2025 at 15.40. They were using both electric & petrol motorbikes to do stunts and cut up the turf. One rider sprayed us with mud. One bike had a number plate, but it was not possible to read it from the video.
Reposted by Simon Holledge
We just sued the Trump administration for deciding to trade federally protected wilderness to pave the way for a road through #Izembek National Wildlife Refuge in #Alaska.
The swap exchanged approximately 500 acres of ecologically irreplaceable wilderness lands.
Read on ➡️ https://bit.ly/4nUdzPx
The swap exchanged approximately 500 acres of ecologically irreplaceable wilderness lands.
Read on ➡️ https://bit.ly/4nUdzPx
November 13, 2025 at 7:47 PM
We just sued the Trump administration for deciding to trade federally protected wilderness to pave the way for a road through #Izembek National Wildlife Refuge in #Alaska.
The swap exchanged approximately 500 acres of ecologically irreplaceable wilderness lands.
Read on ➡️ https://bit.ly/4nUdzPx
The swap exchanged approximately 500 acres of ecologically irreplaceable wilderness lands.
Read on ➡️ https://bit.ly/4nUdzPx
"PAUSED FOR THOUGHT" councillors agreed the Princes St strategy lacked "ambition, imagination and vision". @edinburghcouncil.bsky.social will convene "an elected member/officer/stakeholder workshop" to prepare a "more ambitious and exciting strategy". 1/
www.broughtonspurtle.org.uk/news/setback...
www.broughtonspurtle.org.uk/news/setback...
SETBACK OR STEP FORWARD? | Broughton Spurtle
PRINCES STREET & WAVERLEY VALLEY STRATEGY PAUSED FOR THOUGHT The latest version of the Princes St & Waverley Valley Strategy has been put on hold after the Liberal Democrat gr
www.broughtonspurtle.org.uk
November 14, 2025 at 8:18 AM
"PAUSED FOR THOUGHT" councillors agreed the Princes St strategy lacked "ambition, imagination and vision". @edinburghcouncil.bsky.social will convene "an elected member/officer/stakeholder workshop" to prepare a "more ambitious and exciting strategy". 1/
www.broughtonspurtle.org.uk/news/setback...
www.broughtonspurtle.org.uk/news/setback...
Reposted by Simon Holledge
Thanks to THAT'S TV and Rachel Kinnear for making available our chair's interview on the EROSION EMERGENCY on 24 September. There was a follow-up interview yesterday (10 November).
November 11, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Thanks to THAT'S TV and Rachel Kinnear for making available our chair's interview on the EROSION EMERGENCY on 24 September. There was a follow-up interview yesterday (10 November).
Reposted by Simon Holledge
The annual harvest for Michael Fabricant’s hair has just begun in Gloucestershire today.
November 6, 2025 at 10:07 AM
The annual harvest for Michael Fabricant’s hair has just begun in Gloucestershire today.
Reposted by Simon Holledge
VOLUNTEERS still needed: FYI @spurtle.bsky.social @ntbcc.bsky.social @edinburghminute.bsky.social @edinreporter.bsky.social @scotsman.com @scotnational.bsky.social @stv.news @edinburghwh.bsky.social @turvill.bsky.social @smcarthurreports.bsky.social
Preparations for COMMUNITY ACTION re-turfing in front of the National Monument, Calton Hill, in reaction to the EROSION EMERGENCY. Wednesday 12 Nov from 11.00: FOUR VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED. Write . Thanks to @edinburghcouncil.bsky.social for help with rotavation etc.
November 8, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Reposted by Simon Holledge
Can we please have another Labour Party? This one seems to be broken.
November 5, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Can we please have another Labour Party? This one seems to be broken.
Reposted by Simon Holledge
Socialism is what they called public power.
Socialism is what they called social security.
Socialism is what they called the growth of free and independent labor organizations.
Socialism is their name for almost anything that helps all the people.
—Harry Truman, 1952
Socialism is what they called social security.
Socialism is what they called the growth of free and independent labor organizations.
Socialism is their name for almost anything that helps all the people.
—Harry Truman, 1952
November 7, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Socialism is what they called public power.
Socialism is what they called social security.
Socialism is what they called the growth of free and independent labor organizations.
Socialism is their name for almost anything that helps all the people.
—Harry Truman, 1952
Socialism is what they called social security.
Socialism is what they called the growth of free and independent labor organizations.
Socialism is their name for almost anything that helps all the people.
—Harry Truman, 1952
Reposted by Simon Holledge
Swifts have declined 70% since 1994.
They fly from Africa to breed here, only to find we've blocked their nest sites.
A £35 swift brick nest box was proposed for all new buildings.
The construction industry lobbied Labour to block it.
Biodiversity sustains life. Labour sustains economic power.
They fly from Africa to breed here, only to find we've blocked their nest sites.
A £35 swift brick nest box was proposed for all new buildings.
The construction industry lobbied Labour to block it.
Biodiversity sustains life. Labour sustains economic power.
November 8, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Swifts have declined 70% since 1994.
They fly from Africa to breed here, only to find we've blocked their nest sites.
A £35 swift brick nest box was proposed for all new buildings.
The construction industry lobbied Labour to block it.
Biodiversity sustains life. Labour sustains economic power.
They fly from Africa to breed here, only to find we've blocked their nest sites.
A £35 swift brick nest box was proposed for all new buildings.
The construction industry lobbied Labour to block it.
Biodiversity sustains life. Labour sustains economic power.
INQUIRER / Sarah McArthur on "What went so right on Bonfire Night?" open.substack.com/pub/edinburg...
What went so right on Bonfire Night?
How months of work culminated in one of the city's quietest 5 November in years
open.substack.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:45 AM
INQUIRER / Sarah McArthur on "What went so right on Bonfire Night?" open.substack.com/pub/edinburg...