Jeremy Benson
@jembenson.bsky.social
Adviser @aqaeducation.bsky.social, MAT and @RSPH.bsky.social trustee, ex-senior civil servant; classical music, #LCFC 🦊, England⚽️🏏, walks, photos, words (no politics); husband, father, generally curious
https://substack.com/@jembenson
📍 Leicestershire, UK
https://substack.com/@jembenson
📍 Leicestershire, UK
Pinned
Heading off to this shortly. Wave if you see me on the stream… 🎵
Leonkoro Quartet returns to Wigmore Hall this evening for a programme of Mendelssohn and Webern, culminating in Beethoven's Op. 131 🎻
🕰️ 7.30pm
🎶 Beethoven, Felix Mendelssohn and Webern
🎟️ https://www.wigmore-hall.org.uk/whats-on/202602031930
📺 Live stream on our website
🕰️ 7.30pm
🎶 Beethoven, Felix Mendelssohn and Webern
🎟️ https://www.wigmore-hall.org.uk/whats-on/202602031930
📺 Live stream on our website
February 3, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Heading off to this shortly. Wave if you see me on the stream… 🎵
Reposted by Jeremy Benson
It’s that tenth anniversary of *that* Vardy goal. #LCFC
2.2.16 beat Liverpool 2-0. A memorable victory over a mostly poor Liverpool, with an astonishing 30-yard volley by Vardy from a 60-yard pass by Mahrez. We haven't conceded at home in the league since mid-Dec. So we're 3 points clear at the top of the table with 14 to play.
#LCFC #Impossible10YearsOn
#LCFC #Impossible10YearsOn
a goalie jumps to catch a soccer ball on a soccer field with ads for steel.com and lg in the background
Alt: That Vardy goal as a GIF
media.tenor.com
February 2, 2026 at 7:26 AM
It’s that tenth anniversary of *that* Vardy goal. #LCFC
Late stroll. A hedge has been rakishly wearing the same grey scarf for days. Each of my diagonal shadows has its own fence panel to lean on as I pass. The long articulated lorry snoozes in a short carpark. That empty-lit room keeps sneakily changing colour to itself.
@imcmillan.bsky.social
@imcmillan.bsky.social
February 2, 2026 at 7:14 PM
Late stroll. A hedge has been rakishly wearing the same grey scarf for days. Each of my diagonal shadows has its own fence panel to lean on as I pass. The long articulated lorry snoozes in a short carpark. That empty-lit room keeps sneakily changing colour to itself.
@imcmillan.bsky.social
@imcmillan.bsky.social
It’s that tenth anniversary of *that* Vardy goal. #LCFC
2.2.16 beat Liverpool 2-0. A memorable victory over a mostly poor Liverpool, with an astonishing 30-yard volley by Vardy from a 60-yard pass by Mahrez. We haven't conceded at home in the league since mid-Dec. So we're 3 points clear at the top of the table with 14 to play.
#LCFC #Impossible10YearsOn
#LCFC #Impossible10YearsOn
a goalie jumps to catch a soccer ball on a soccer field with ads for steel.com and lg in the background
Alt: That Vardy goal as a GIF
media.tenor.com
February 2, 2026 at 7:26 AM
It’s that tenth anniversary of *that* Vardy goal. #LCFC
Whether you like maths or Shakespeare or both (🙋🏻♂️) or neither, this interview with @robeastaway.bsky.social is a fascinating listen.
We often pigeonhole people as either a "maths " or an "arts“ person, but in Shakespeare’s time this divide didn’t exist.
I spoke with @Folger.edu about why looking at Shakespeare through the eyes of a mathematician can help students to appreciate both disciplines. www.folger.edu/podcasts/sha...
I spoke with @Folger.edu about why looking at Shakespeare through the eyes of a mathematician can help students to appreciate both disciplines. www.folger.edu/podcasts/sha...
Shakespeare and Mathematics | Folger Shakespeare Library
Folger Shakespeare Library is the world's largest Shakespeare collection, the ultimate resource for exploring Shakespeare and his world. Shakespeare belongs to you. His world is vast. Come explore. Jo...
www.folger.edu
February 2, 2026 at 7:14 AM
Whether you like maths or Shakespeare or both (🙋🏻♂️) or neither, this interview with @robeastaway.bsky.social is a fascinating listen.
It’s Candlemas, end of the 40-day Christmas season, so time to take down Christmas decorations. Medieval Christmas started late December and continued through January, but now Christmas can start in November then stops as the darkest, coldest month of the year starts. Not sure that’s an improvement…
Why you should leave up your Christmas decorations until February
To bring cheer to the winter months, follow medieval tradition and keep your Christmas decorations up until 2 February
www.english-heritage.org.uk
February 2, 2026 at 7:11 AM
It’s Candlemas, end of the 40-day Christmas season, so time to take down Christmas decorations. Medieval Christmas started late December and continued through January, but now Christmas can start in November then stops as the darkest, coldest month of the year starts. Not sure that’s an improvement…
This took me a lot longer than it should have done. No spoilers, but it’s a fairly common word that doesn’t follow a typical pattern so I had to work through lots of options before I found it. But the streak’s still going…
Wordle 1,689 5/6
🟨🟨🟨⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟨🟨🟨⬜
⬜🟩🟨🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
Wordle 1,689 5/6
🟨🟨🟨⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟨🟨🟨⬜
⬜🟩🟨🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
February 2, 2026 at 7:07 AM
This took me a lot longer than it should have done. No spoilers, but it’s a fairly common word that doesn’t follow a typical pattern so I had to work through lots of options before I found it. But the streak’s still going…
Wordle 1,689 5/6
🟨🟨🟨⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟨🟨🟨⬜
⬜🟩🟨🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
Wordle 1,689 5/6
🟨🟨🟨⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟨🟨🟨⬜
⬜🟩🟨🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
Walked 10 miles and back along the Grand Union yesterday. In the morning I enjoyed clear skies and pale winter sunshine. In the afternoon the rain above and the mud below made it a test of endurance which I plodded through. (In between there was a game of football which I shall draw a veil over.)
February 1, 2026 at 7:16 PM
Walked 10 miles and back along the Grand Union yesterday. In the morning I enjoyed clear skies and pale winter sunshine. In the afternoon the rain above and the mud below made it a test of endurance which I plodded through. (In between there was a game of football which I shall draw a veil over.)
This is who runs this account.
February 1, 2026 at 6:16 PM
This is who runs this account.
Reposted by Jeremy Benson
“What is that in your bed?”
“It’s a puffball mushroom I foraged.”
“Why is it there?”
“I was worried it had got cold and sad.”
“But you’re going to eat it soon anyway.”
“The fact that we all have to die at some point doesn’t mean we should not live well, in comfort, before that."
“It’s a puffball mushroom I foraged.”
“Why is it there?”
“I was worried it had got cold and sad.”
“But you’re going to eat it soon anyway.”
“The fact that we all have to die at some point doesn’t mean we should not live well, in comfort, before that."
February 1, 2026 at 10:08 AM
“What is that in your bed?”
“It’s a puffball mushroom I foraged.”
“Why is it there?”
“I was worried it had got cold and sad.”
“But you’re going to eat it soon anyway.”
“The fact that we all have to die at some point doesn’t mean we should not live well, in comfort, before that."
“It’s a puffball mushroom I foraged.”
“Why is it there?”
“I was worried it had got cold and sad.”
“But you’re going to eat it soon anyway.”
“The fact that we all have to die at some point doesn’t mean we should not live well, in comfort, before that."
Reposted by Jeremy Benson
Amazon has placed a VERY specific product warning on the published edition of the Kenneth Williams diaries. The incident that prompted this surely deserved more media attention.
January 31, 2026 at 11:37 PM
Amazon has placed a VERY specific product warning on the published edition of the Kenneth Williams diaries. The incident that prompted this surely deserved more media attention.
@quietriotpod.bsky.social instructs us to wish @sturdyalex.bsky.social a happy birthday. So Happy Birthday Alex! 🎂
February 1, 2026 at 8:31 AM
@quietriotpod.bsky.social instructs us to wish @sturdyalex.bsky.social a happy birthday. So Happy Birthday Alex! 🎂
A year ago I was suffering bad football #lapluscachange #LCFC
February 1, 2026 at 7:12 AM
A year ago I was suffering bad football #lapluscachange #LCFC
Reposted by Jeremy Benson
Late stroll. Chalk patterns on the pavement are a fading echo of childish laughter. Headlights highlight basking pebbles on the road. That bin’s been sidling imperceptibly along the pavement, escaping its house. A lit red collar dances puppy-like through the dark park.
@imcmillan.bsky.social
@imcmillan.bsky.social
January 31, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Late stroll. Chalk patterns on the pavement are a fading echo of childish laughter. Headlights highlight basking pebbles on the road. That bin’s been sidling imperceptibly along the pavement, escaping its house. A lit red collar dances puppy-like through the dark park.
@imcmillan.bsky.social
@imcmillan.bsky.social
Reposted by Jeremy Benson
They bought the cat a new toy and this was the reaction.. 😂
January 28, 2026 at 9:09 AM
They bought the cat a new toy and this was the reaction.. 😂
Matchday. First match under an interim manager is a bit of a free hit: you hope for a new manager bounce that justifies the sacking, but no one will complain too much if the club-legend-temp struggles a bit, especially with the injuries. Hoping we’ll be able to do something v Charlton though. #LCFC
January 31, 2026 at 7:36 AM
Matchday. First match under an interim manager is a bit of a free hit: you hope for a new manager bounce that justifies the sacking, but no one will complain too much if the club-legend-temp struggles a bit, especially with the injuries. Hoping we’ll be able to do something v Charlton though. #LCFC
Afternoon stroll. A painted arrow directs me the other way; I defy. Pondering moss hopes any approaching stones will be rolling. A bare twig beckons future blossom bonily. Unmenacing rumbles of young skateboarders slowly pass. A pale half-moon hides behind thin cloud.
@imcmillan.bsky.social
@imcmillan.bsky.social
January 30, 2026 at 9:17 PM
Afternoon stroll. A painted arrow directs me the other way; I defy. Pondering moss hopes any approaching stones will be rolling. A bare twig beckons future blossom bonily. Unmenacing rumbles of young skateboarders slowly pass. A pale half-moon hides behind thin cloud.
@imcmillan.bsky.social
@imcmillan.bsky.social
Reposted by Jeremy Benson
Early stroll. I don’t have to think about tying my bootlaces. Underground, fossils are sleeping. Rain’s note to self: wet everything, now. Puddle archipelagos. An old Christmas tree in a garden.
January 30, 2026 at 6:20 AM
Early stroll. I don’t have to think about tying my bootlaces. Underground, fossils are sleeping. Rain’s note to self: wet everything, now. Puddle archipelagos. An old Christmas tree in a garden.
Those who are newish here (including @imcmillan.bsky.social) may not have come across my thread of Leicestershire villages, including guest appearances from Laurel and Hardy, Lady Jane Grey, Handel, Queen Boudicca, Chris Kirkland, Rachel Parris, King Wiglaf, Ada Lovelace, and of course Richard III.
A #Leicestershire villages thread.
1. Ab Kettleby. A Roman mosaic and pavement were found beneath the churchyard of St James’s, indicating the presence of a villa. The Everard Digby memorialised in the church died in 1628 so is not (contra Wikipedia) the Gunpowder plotter.
1. Ab Kettleby. A Roman mosaic and pavement were found beneath the churchyard of St James’s, indicating the presence of a villa. The Everard Digby memorialised in the church died in 1628 so is not (contra Wikipedia) the Gunpowder plotter.
January 29, 2026 at 9:53 PM
Those who are newish here (including @imcmillan.bsky.social) may not have come across my thread of Leicestershire villages, including guest appearances from Laurel and Hardy, Lady Jane Grey, Handel, Queen Boudicca, Chris Kirkland, Rachel Parris, King Wiglaf, Ada Lovelace, and of course Richard III.
Late stroll. An orange wink shoots down the empty road to the works at the bottom. A dog takes noisy exception to me, and launches brown noise like tree-bark. Imaginary voices echo from the empty shadows. A tree of crystals catches streetlight and throws it delicately.
@imcmillan.bsky.social
@imcmillan.bsky.social
January 29, 2026 at 6:39 PM
Late stroll. An orange wink shoots down the empty road to the works at the bottom. A dog takes noisy exception to me, and launches brown noise like tree-bark. Imaginary voices echo from the empty shadows. A tree of crystals catches streetlight and throws it delicately.
@imcmillan.bsky.social
@imcmillan.bsky.social
Late stroll. A cat is a patch of path-darkness ahead. Parallel tightropes cross a road in memory of roadworks. An ivy waterfall crashes down a wall. Headlights make signpost-shadows dance on a house’s handy filmscreen. River reflections turn streetlight into moonlight.
@imcmillan.bsky.social
@imcmillan.bsky.social
January 28, 2026 at 8:54 PM
Late stroll. A cat is a patch of path-darkness ahead. Parallel tightropes cross a road in memory of roadworks. An ivy waterfall crashes down a wall. Headlights make signpost-shadows dance on a house’s handy filmscreen. River reflections turn streetlight into moonlight.
@imcmillan.bsky.social
@imcmillan.bsky.social