Rachel Parkinson
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rachelp1.bsky.social
Rachel Parkinson
@rachelp1.bsky.social
Negotiating the world with the help of faith and friends. Methodist presbyter, but views here my own. Love pilgrimage, running, cycling, making things, poetry and a good dollop of TV. (She / her)
Reposted by Rachel Parkinson
“I am so bored by AI. One of the things I love about the theatre is AI can’t do it.”

Ethan Hawke is a dude 👌🏻
December 9, 2025 at 8:36 PM
This is the make-believe online world AI is creating. A product engineer tells me how excited he is about a product I’m researching before buying. But at bottom of page I’d rarely scroll down to I’m informed said engineer is fictional! No idea who photo is of and whether used with permission
December 9, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Reposted by Rachel Parkinson
My dad abhors any negative comments about immigrants. Asked him recently why he’s so strong on it: ‘Because we’re always happy to take the rich and clever ones. Which means it’s not about disliking immigrants. It’s about disliking the poor and vulnerable. And that’s a bad human instinct.’
This is so disgusting.
December 7, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Reposted by Rachel Parkinson
The ultimate unsung superfood: 17 delicious ways with cabbage – from kimchi to pasta to peanut butter noodles
The ultimate unsung superfood: 17 delicious ways with cabbage – from kimchi to pasta to peanut butter noodles
Over the last 50 years, cabbage consumption in Britain has declined 80%. But it’s versatile, full of vitamins, and perfect on a winter night. Here’s how to make the most of it
www.theguardian.com
December 7, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Reposted by Rachel Parkinson
my great-grandparents arrived in the UK in the 1890s with nothing.
they sold pickles from the front room window, took in laundry, worked as tailors.
their children were nurses, teachers, salesmen.
their grandchildren were professors, designers, opticians, doctors, magistrates, entrepreneurs.
This is so disgusting.
December 7, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Reposted by Rachel Parkinson
What a fantastic idea! Can any Shrewsbury or Shropshire restaurants do something similar?

New menu for benefit claimants proves surprise hit

South London businessman says he wants to give people on low incomes the right to go out to eat with their families

hyphenonline.com/2025/12/01/e...
‘Universal credit’ menu is surprise hit for Lebanese restaurant - Hyphen
Owner of Shawarma Hut in Southwark, south London, says he wants people to be able to eat out on universal credit
hyphenonline.com
December 4, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Excellent - well worth reading
November 30, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Reposted by Rachel Parkinson
Home Depot wanted holiday cheer, got a whole-ass choir calling out their partnership with ICE instead…
November 29, 2025 at 6:18 AM
Reposted by Rachel Parkinson
It’s the first Sunday in Advent and the theme is Hope. #Advent #Hope
November 30, 2025 at 7:24 AM
UK immigration status fears prompt carer to cancel benefits she is entitled to
November 29, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Reposted by Rachel Parkinson
Every single congressional Democrat needs to be out there, right now, insisting that Pete Hegseth resign right now and announcing that he will be held accountable for committing war crimes.

If you do not demand accountability here and now, they will only become more emboldened.
Exclusive: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave an order to “kill everybody” in the first strike on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean. After two men survived, the mission commander ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions, according to two sources.
Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order to kill all crew members in the Sept. 2 strike on a suspected drug boat. Navy SEALs fired a second missile.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 28, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Reposted by Rachel Parkinson
Experience: I was stabbed in the back with a real knife while performing Julius Caesar
Experience: I was stabbed in the back with a real knife while performing Julius Caesar
Our student theatre group had the bright idea of using actual knives on stage for authenticity. The blade missed my aorta by about a centimetre
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:20 AM
Reposted by Rachel Parkinson
The #TwoChildLimit is finally gone.
This decision will pull 450,000 children out of poverty.

After years of tireless campaigning, persistence has paid off. Thank you to our colleagues, partners & supporters who made this happen!
November 27, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Reposted by Rachel Parkinson
To the National Emergency Briefing outlining the science of climate change and its impact on nature, food security, extreme weather events, tipping points, migration, conflict, health and so much more. A very sobering assessment about the major risks we run and our collective failure to respond.
November 27, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Reposted by Rachel Parkinson
Today’s #Budget comes at a time when families are facing some of the hardest pressures.

We warmly welcome today’s decision to lift the two-child limit. It is the right thing to do and represents a significant course correction towards our system working for every child.
November 26, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Reposted by Rachel Parkinson
"Here’s what makes this particularly galling. Many of the biggest online gambling operators are based offshore in Gibraltar or Malta. They avoid UK corporation tax almost entirely while hoovering up billions from British punters."

Online gambling is one of the biggest employers in #malta
UK gambling industry made £15.6bn in 2024 (£16.8bn in 2025)

Most companies holed up in Gibraltar & Malta, dodge UK taxes. Some pay corporation tax at the rate of 3%-4%. No VAT on gambling.

Public bears the cost of gambling addiction.

Firms resent paying extra tax to clear their mess.

Tax them.
UK's Online Gambling Industry: The £3.8 Billion Tax Question Nobody's Answering
UK's online gambling industry generates £15.6bn annually but pays minimal tax. With £3.8bn in receipts, experts say it's time for reform Here's why.
www.thelondoneconomic.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Reposted by Rachel Parkinson
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.

They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Sits well alongside Rachel Reeves promise of a new crackdown on benefit fraud. Since every government seems to promise these, I wonder how they ever end in such a way they have to be “renewed”?
November 25, 2025 at 6:25 AM
Reposted by Rachel Parkinson
‘It’s like the Post Office scandal’: victims of carer’s allowance crisis speak out
‘It’s like the Post Office scandal’: victims of carer’s allowance crisis speak out
Claimants forced to pay back thousands of pounds tell of ‘horrendous’ court ordeals and of desire for official apology
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Reposted by Rachel Parkinson
Just a jaw-dropping paragraph in Trevor Phillips's column for The Times.

This is a policy that, by his own account, has left parents of a particular race too frightened to walk their children to school.

And that's the example he chooses of the "vigour" we "need".
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
November 24, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Church of Christ the King, Leuca, Italy
November 23, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Reposted by Rachel Parkinson
Every now and then a truly great Venn diagram is mapped out!
November 22, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Reposted by Rachel Parkinson
Leaders of the Baptist, Methodist and United Reformed Churches have issued a statement in response to the government’s announcements this week on proposed changes to its asylum and returns policy. To read the statement, see https://ow.ly/gaBJ50XvMha
November 21, 2025 at 3:02 PM