Ian Waites
@ianwaites.bsky.social
320 followers 300 following 570 posts
Historian and writer of the dreams and memories of postwar England: council estates, Radburn layouts, rural modernism, pop music. I've also written a book about the Summer of 76. Trainee A&R man for Asylum Records in my dreams.
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ianwaites.bsky.social
'Housing as if people mattered.'

My book, 'Middlefield: A postwar council estate in time', available here: colinsackett.co.uk/middlefield....
ianwaites.bsky.social
Immodest I know, but a beautiful piece of work from @boydellandbrewer.bsky.social
ianwaites.bsky.social
LOL better.
luxalptraum.com
TFW you paid $1400 to see Beckett’s most famous work without knowing anything about it
One Star Review of Waiting for Godot on Broadway
I recently attended Waiting for Godot on Broadway and spent over $1,400 for two Row C seats (103 and 104). I'm a longtime admirer of Broadway productions and even hold a season pass for Shea's Performing Arts Theatre, so I came in with genuine enthusiasm and high expectations. Unfortunately, this show was unlike anything ! have ever experienced —and not in a good way.
What I encountered was not the artistry, music, or emotional storytelling I usually associate with Broadway, but instead what felt like an endless cycle of nonsensical conversation between characters who seemed trapped in their own madness. I tried-truly tried-to find meaning, symbolism, or even a thread of emotional resonance. I stayed through the first half hoping the second would offer clarity. But by intermission, it was clear: this was a waste of both time and money.
Keanu Reeves is an actor I respect greatly, but I cannot fathom why he would agree to participate in such a disjointed, inaccessible production. His talent was lost in a performance that defied reason rather than provoked insight.
To anyone considering attending: unless you are drawn to highly abstract, nearly incomprehensible theater, I strongly caution you against this show. For the average, educated, thoughtful theatergoer, it is far more frustrating than fulfilling. In my opinion, this was the single most disappointing Broadway experience I've ever had - an unfortunate waste of money and, more importantly, of time.
ianwaites.bsky.social
It’s currently for sale! I’ll race you for it! And the only sound around was a daytime tawny owl.
ianwaites.bsky.social
Near Tisbury, Wiltshire.
Reposted by Ian Waites
gilbertwhite.bsky.social
1776: Nuts fall very fast from the hedges.
ianwaites.bsky.social
Thank you very much!
ianwaites.bsky.social
Can anyone tell me what this big bright green pleasure machine will turn into? Thanks!
Reposted by Ian Waites
tobyontv.bsky.social
if you’ve ever watched the apprentice, that’s the world without arts or humanities degrees
Reposted by Ian Waites
ninetimesfined.bsky.social
‘It’s raining today
But once
there was summer and you
And dark little rooms
And sleeping late
afternoons’
🖤🖤🖤
It’s illegal to play this song unless it is Autumn (and raining). So, here we are.
youtu.be/PuAvcEIdH1U?si…
ianwaites.bsky.social
When you are rock n roll royalty you can write directly onto the restaurant's menu.
birmingham81.bsky.social
David Bowie, Iggy Pop and Tony Visconti pick their starters from the menu of the Schlosshotel Gehrus restaurant in Berlin during the recording of Heroes in 1977. Currently on display in the David Bowie Centre at the remarkable V&A East Storehouse
Reposted by Ian Waites
lucyfurleaps.bsky.social
Read the whole thread - stunning photos and a walk with a disturbing piece of recent history which has resulted in place-making and memorial.
longbarrowpress.bsky.social
A walk from Leeds to Goole, via the River Aire, the Aire and Calder Navigation, the Knottingley and Goole Canal, the New Junction Canal and the Dutch River, 6.45am to 9.52pm Friday 26 September.

An improvised, illustrated thread of indeterminate length, part reflection, part reconstruction. 1/
Shipping containers on the waterside at Stourton, two miles south-east of Leeds city centre.
Reposted by Ian Waites
Reposted by Ian Waites
rabihalameddine.bsky.social
Harold Edgerton, Cows and Flare at Stonehenge, 1944
ianwaites.bsky.social
She’s not to my taste at all but she’s a force of nature and good luck to her. I was so disappointed when Joni Mitchell vetoed a biopic with Taylor in the key role. She’d have been ace.
Reposted by Ian Waites
uniformbooks.bsky.social
rotatory, 1993
24 whole-page illustrations cut into equal parts and reassembled as new pictures. The collages all include one part from each in its original position.
colinsackett.co.uk/images/manifold/p35.pdf
colinsackett.co.uk/images/manifold/p36.pdf
colinsackett.co.uk/images/manifold/p37.pdf
Reposted by Ian Waites
workingclasshistory.com
#OtD 3 Oct 1937 almost a year after their defeat at Cable St, Mosley's Blackshirts attempted to march through Bermondsey, South London. Met with strong local opposition and barricades in the streets, the march never arrived at its intended destination workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e35-...
ianwaites.bsky.social
The scouring of the horse
Reposted by Ian Waites
lbflyawayhome.bsky.social
Beautiful everyday Ladybird things
‘Blankets’
Artist: Gerald Witcomb
(Sounds and Pictures, 1976)
A photo realistic illustration of three traditional wool blankets neatly folded one on top of the other
ianwaites.bsky.social
Losing True ❤️
chrisl7000.bsky.social
21 years ago today, Terry Hall of The Specials wrote this short piece on the wonderful Roches. The Independent, 1 October 2004.
#Specials #TheSpecials #Roches #TheRoches #TerryHall @robertrotifer.bsky.social
ianwaites.bsky.social
By Peter Schmidt (1931-1980).
ianwaites.bsky.social
90 years young today!
Reposted by Ian Waites
britgardhistory.bsky.social
'October' from Eliot Hodgkin's 'The Months', 1951. Cooking apples take centre stage, flanked by grapes, fungi and the first celery and Brussels sprouts. There's a button chrysanthemum, fluffy Old Man's Beard, a shiny conker and a reddening leaf of Virginia Creeper.