Nicholas
@nicholasbenn.bsky.social
Yorkshireman, Verger and God-botherer bothered by God. Often found in climbing gyms or churches. Unapologetically trans 🏳️⚧️ He/They
Everything feels v Hard right now, so I'm immensely grateful for friends who in lieu of usual pub quiz are up for coming out tonight for a few drinks and to be social anyway.
Darkness very much something to be lived with right now, but doing my best to allow people to bring light when I can bear
Darkness very much something to be lived with right now, but doing my best to allow people to bring light when I can bear
December 22, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Everything feels v Hard right now, so I'm immensely grateful for friends who in lieu of usual pub quiz are up for coming out tonight for a few drinks and to be social anyway.
Darkness very much something to be lived with right now, but doing my best to allow people to bring light when I can bear
Darkness very much something to be lived with right now, but doing my best to allow people to bring light when I can bear
I mean it is an RTD ending to something so I shouldn't be as surprised as I am that the end of War Between has been so awkward in terms of pacing and characters, but. Honestly
December 21, 2025 at 8:57 PM
I mean it is an RTD ending to something so I shouldn't be as surprised as I am that the end of War Between has been so awkward in terms of pacing and characters, but. Honestly
Probably should give some thought to what I am actually planning to eat on Christmas Day - only working the afternoon shift so bacon sandwiches for breakfast are a given, but must admit at this point that a pizza, pigs in blankets and some oven ready veg is sounding tempting
December 21, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Probably should give some thought to what I am actually planning to eat on Christmas Day - only working the afternoon shift so bacon sandwiches for breakfast are a given, but must admit at this point that a pizza, pigs in blankets and some oven ready veg is sounding tempting
Did not have 'the Dean does a pre-Blessing notice calling out a couple who complained about children making noise during the service' on my bingo card, but it was glorious.
And a tangential Inclusive Church mention too bc Chapter have applied for us to be part of that excellent movement
And a tangential Inclusive Church mention too bc Chapter have applied for us to be part of that excellent movement
December 21, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Did not have 'the Dean does a pre-Blessing notice calling out a couple who complained about children making noise during the service' on my bingo card, but it was glorious.
And a tangential Inclusive Church mention too bc Chapter have applied for us to be part of that excellent movement
And a tangential Inclusive Church mention too bc Chapter have applied for us to be part of that excellent movement
Reposted by Nicholas
My friends. Starting tomorrow the daylight returns. Finally. Longer days. Longer and longer and longer days.
December 21, 2025 at 1:34 PM
My friends. Starting tomorrow the daylight returns. Finally. Longer days. Longer and longer and longer days.
I finished work at 5.30pm but I'm lurking in the Lady Chapel for Evensong until the Antiphon has been sung, because it feels rude not to
December 20, 2025 at 5:31 PM
I finished work at 5.30pm but I'm lurking in the Lady Chapel for Evensong until the Antiphon has been sung, because it feels rude not to
Finally feeling less ill after the fun cough/cold combo I have had over the last week or so, but traveling back from my parents this afternoon and then our department meal out has drained the last of my social battery.
Heading home for many cups of tea!
Heading home for many cups of tea!
December 19, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Finally feeling less ill after the fun cough/cold combo I have had over the last week or so, but traveling back from my parents this afternoon and then our department meal out has drained the last of my social battery.
Heading home for many cups of tea!
Heading home for many cups of tea!
There was beer, there were carols, I gave most of my work hamper to my mother.
Tomorrow I will ascend to the loft to get lights for the kitchen and hallway, and when dad gets back from his Aphasia support group we will have mini Xmas dinner.
Life looks different these days, but glad for all of it
Tomorrow I will ascend to the loft to get lights for the kitchen and hallway, and when dad gets back from his Aphasia support group we will have mini Xmas dinner.
Life looks different these days, but glad for all of it
December 16, 2025 at 11:16 PM
There was beer, there were carols, I gave most of my work hamper to my mother.
Tomorrow I will ascend to the loft to get lights for the kitchen and hallway, and when dad gets back from his Aphasia support group we will have mini Xmas dinner.
Life looks different these days, but glad for all of it
Tomorrow I will ascend to the loft to get lights for the kitchen and hallway, and when dad gets back from his Aphasia support group we will have mini Xmas dinner.
Life looks different these days, but glad for all of it
Reposted by Nicholas
ok, here we go
💣
💣
December 16, 2025 at 6:49 PM
ok, here we go
💣
💣
Staff carol service this afternoon was the usual joy as we get the building to ourselves and the clergy very generously hold space for us as a (very large) team to be together and thank us.
Now heading back home for a few days with my parents for our 'Christmas' ❤️🎄
Now heading back home for a few days with my parents for our 'Christmas' ❤️🎄
December 16, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Staff carol service this afternoon was the usual joy as we get the building to ourselves and the clergy very generously hold space for us as a (very large) team to be together and thank us.
Now heading back home for a few days with my parents for our 'Christmas' ❤️🎄
Now heading back home for a few days with my parents for our 'Christmas' ❤️🎄
Chorister Bishop Evensong with Wesley's The Wilderness for the anthem has been a taste of Heaven. Utter joy and privilege to be a part of it.
December 14, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Chorister Bishop Evensong with Wesley's The Wilderness for the anthem has been a taste of Heaven. Utter joy and privilege to be a part of it.
Stopped by a couple of street evangelists tonight as I lingered on Coney St to finish sending a text
I was on my way home from Evensong...
They were lovely, but really picked the wrong person to ask 😅
One wonders what the average York Xmas market goer will make of them
I was on my way home from Evensong...
They were lovely, but really picked the wrong person to ask 😅
One wonders what the average York Xmas market goer will make of them
December 12, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Stopped by a couple of street evangelists tonight as I lingered on Coney St to finish sending a text
I was on my way home from Evensong...
They were lovely, but really picked the wrong person to ask 😅
One wonders what the average York Xmas market goer will make of them
I was on my way home from Evensong...
They were lovely, but really picked the wrong person to ask 😅
One wonders what the average York Xmas market goer will make of them
I had 'move the mouse and find them a santa hat' on my morning to-do list. I did not have 'relocate paper mache sheep from in front of a fire exit' on there however which in hindsight was my mistake.
What a ludicrous job.
What a ludicrous job.
December 10, 2025 at 8:36 AM
I had 'move the mouse and find them a santa hat' on my morning to-do list. I did not have 'relocate paper mache sheep from in front of a fire exit' on there however which in hindsight was my mistake.
What a ludicrous job.
What a ludicrous job.
Always grateful for the generous ministry of our duty chaplains but especially today as it has been a day where I needed to find a bit of solace and safety.
Cuppa and a chat helped me to re-regulate and reset. I love this time of year but definitely need to remember to pace myself, stop (and pray!)
Cuppa and a chat helped me to re-regulate and reset. I love this time of year but definitely need to remember to pace myself, stop (and pray!)
December 9, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Always grateful for the generous ministry of our duty chaplains but especially today as it has been a day where I needed to find a bit of solace and safety.
Cuppa and a chat helped me to re-regulate and reset. I love this time of year but definitely need to remember to pace myself, stop (and pray!)
Cuppa and a chat helped me to re-regulate and reset. I love this time of year but definitely need to remember to pace myself, stop (and pray!)
Reposted by Nicholas
Nothing says getting into the festive spirit like going online to shout at some biscuits
December 8, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Nothing says getting into the festive spirit like going online to shout at some biscuits
Working a concert tonight so I understand why I'm coming in at this time, but also I'd forgotten how anything past 10am in York is a circle of Hell this time of year just for trying to walk *anywhere* without hordes of people. Looking forward to the next two early mornings!
December 8, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Working a concert tonight so I understand why I'm coming in at this time, but also I'd forgotten how anything past 10am in York is a circle of Hell this time of year just for trying to walk *anywhere* without hordes of people. Looking forward to the next two early mornings!
Reposted by Nicholas
So they took Thames House (British SIS/MI5) and plonked it on the South Bank… on top of Lambeth Palace for the building where the Peace Talks occurred. Has RTD had a run in with the Archbishop of Canterbury???
#DoctorWho #TWBTLATS #WBLS
#DoctorWho #TWBTLATS #WBLS
December 7, 2025 at 9:29 PM
So they took Thames House (British SIS/MI5) and plonked it on the South Bank… on top of Lambeth Palace for the building where the Peace Talks occurred. Has RTD had a run in with the Archbishop of Canterbury???
#DoctorWho #TWBTLATS #WBLS
#DoctorWho #TWBTLATS #WBLS
Wasn't sure how I'd feel about War Between the Land and the Sea but I enjoyed the first episode and how Barclay has found himself an accidental ambassador and the gentle upsetting of diplomatic process as a result
December 7, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Wasn't sure how I'd feel about War Between the Land and the Sea but I enjoyed the first episode and how Barclay has found himself an accidental ambassador and the gentle upsetting of diplomatic process as a result
Reposted by Nicholas
This part is *infuriating*. This cis woman heard an 80 year old trans woman say, 'This is the only place I've been respected as a woman IN MY LIFE.'
And did not immediately think, 'I will fight every inch like a dying badger to keep her in my organization.'
Absolutely pathetic.
And did not immediately think, 'I will fight every inch like a dying badger to keep her in my organization.'
Absolutely pathetic.
December 3, 2025 at 2:25 PM
This part is *infuriating*. This cis woman heard an 80 year old trans woman say, 'This is the only place I've been respected as a woman IN MY LIFE.'
And did not immediately think, 'I will fight every inch like a dying badger to keep her in my organization.'
Absolutely pathetic.
And did not immediately think, 'I will fight every inch like a dying badger to keep her in my organization.'
Absolutely pathetic.
Lost Harkageddon in spectacular fashion at our village carols concert in a very atmospheric candlelit church with some good friends. Glad to get home, and will have no voice in the morning, but so so worth it ❤️🎶
December 6, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Lost Harkageddon in spectacular fashion at our village carols concert in a very atmospheric candlelit church with some good friends. Glad to get home, and will have no voice in the morning, but so so worth it ❤️🎶
Afternoon of learning lyrics, trying to sight-read, and keep my voice in reasonable shape after a cough earlier in the week tried to derail me.
Also managed to get back to climbing on Thursday so am slightly flattened by DOMS in my back and arms 😅
Also managed to get back to climbing on Thursday so am slightly flattened by DOMS in my back and arms 😅
December 6, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Afternoon of learning lyrics, trying to sight-read, and keep my voice in reasonable shape after a cough earlier in the week tried to derail me.
Also managed to get back to climbing on Thursday so am slightly flattened by DOMS in my back and arms 😅
Also managed to get back to climbing on Thursday so am slightly flattened by DOMS in my back and arms 😅
Reposted by Nicholas
December 5, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Reposted by Nicholas
Fixed it for you. Idiots! If the exclusion is based on appearance then it will certainly impact cis folks as well as trans folks.
November 20, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Fixed it for you. Idiots! If the exclusion is based on appearance then it will certainly impact cis folks as well as trans folks.
Love my job but organ tuning mornings are not the best thing for someone with sensory processing issues 😅 Altar frontal change done in double quick time and a rapid retreat to the Vestry!
December 2, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Love my job but organ tuning mornings are not the best thing for someone with sensory processing issues 😅 Altar frontal change done in double quick time and a rapid retreat to the Vestry!
Watching the livestream from work whilst at home in my pyjamas and drinking far too much warm Ribena because I know how to start a new year off right 😉
November 30, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Watching the livestream from work whilst at home in my pyjamas and drinking far too much warm Ribena because I know how to start a new year off right 😉