Russ Swan
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russs.bsky.social
Russ Swan
@russs.bsky.social
Recovering journalist, universe/UK/Notts. Geek, nerd, dweeb. Fixer. Author of popular science book. Columnist @ Lab News. Motorcycles. Spaniels. Science. Engineering. Screaming into the void
It's about 30 years since I visited the Andy Warhol Museum in his home city of Pittsburgh, so a great pleasure to see some of his works at the Djanolgy museum in Nottingham this afternoon. #warhol #nottingham #djanogly
February 17, 2026 at 3:32 PM
Reposted by Russ Swan
New events just gone on sale. The rehearsed reading of RIOT ACT, the new play by Andy Barrett, telling the story of the rise of the Luddites and the parallels with today is now available for just two performances on Friday 27th & Saturday 28th March … frameworkknittersmuseum.org.uk/event/the-ri...
The Riot Act Play - Framework Knitters Museum
As part of its new events programme, the Framework Knitters Museum is presenting the world premiere of RIOT ACT a play originally commissioned by Nottingham Playhouse, by renowned Nottingham writer An...
frameworkknittersmuseum.org.uk
February 17, 2026 at 10:27 AM
The library has sent me a 'pre-overdue notice' and it's the most passive-aggressive thing I can imagine right now. A loan book is due back in a few days but now I feel like a criminal.
February 16, 2026 at 9:37 AM
The first Repair Cafe of the year this afternoon, and it happens to be Valentine's Day. We can fix many things, but broken hearts? Not so much. #repair #repaircafe #righttorepair #fixers
February 14, 2026 at 10:24 AM
Reposted by Russ Swan
When I'm king I will make it a criminal offence to artificially dye flowers like this.
February 13, 2026 at 3:14 PM
When I'm king I will make it a criminal offence to artificially dye flowers like this.
February 13, 2026 at 3:14 PM
I've just diagnosed myself as ambiclumsous. I have ambiclumsia.

I'm just as clumsy with my left and right hands.

#clumsy #ambiclumsous #ambiclumsia
February 6, 2026 at 7:25 PM
G-lens suggests this #fungus, found today, is called Trembling Crust (Merulius tremellosus). I don't know, do you? Even the spaniel wasn't much help. #fungi #fungifriday (it's only Wednesday, shhh).
February 4, 2026 at 4:51 PM
Hopes and dreams
February 1, 2026 at 7:31 PM
Happy to report I played a small part in getting this onto Bluesky. Happened to see the programme, and alerted the museum director who's an old friend.
January 30, 2026 at 10:15 AM
Five jobs I've had:
Newspaper delivery executive
Woolly hat pompom fitter
Dishwasher
Charpentier
Graduation gown dispenser.
5 jobs I’ve had.
Gardener
Lecturer
Travel agent
Tour operations.
Sailing instructor.
January 29, 2026 at 11:05 PM
An urgent emergency - that's one of the worst kinds isn't it?
January 27, 2026 at 12:32 PM
How is it still bloody #January?
January 27, 2026 at 12:23 PM
One of my regular print clients has been sold to another publishing group. The editor remains in place so I'm hopeful that my column will survive (fingers crossed). At 15+ years it is easily my longest-running gig. The sale also affects PE which my old mate @stunathan.bsky.social once ran.
January 26, 2026 at 5:00 PM
But mark the Rustic, haggis-fed,The trembling earth resounds his tread.
Clap in his walie nieve a blade

Happy Burns Night to all who celebrate

#burnsnight
January 25, 2026 at 7:44 PM
Reposted by Russ Swan
Including this 12,000 year old bone needle and this 12,500 year old image of a horse - the oldest known colour picture in the UK (although this is a replica of the original which is currently in the British Museum). #archeology pics by me.
January 24, 2026 at 11:02 PM
Where have I been today? No, not the Rocky Mountains. A place where cave dwelling people hunted woolly rhino and mammoth alongside hyaena and bear, and left artefacts including tools and drawings. Answer later.
January 24, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Is every BBC presenter now contractually obliged to mention the fucking Traitors on every fucking programme?
January 23, 2026 at 12:37 PM
Reposted by Russ Swan
In the 2010s, the Icelandic tv station Channel 2 accidentally added subtitles from a gritty crime drama to an episode of Teletubbies.

I have translated some of the highlights
January 20, 2026 at 12:30 AM
Nice three-lobed bracket fungus on the cut end of a felled tree, seen on today's dog walk. #fungi #fungifriday
January 16, 2026 at 7:05 PM
Reposted by Russ Swan
January 13, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Dear BBC R4 Heart and Soul programme (Megan Lawton doesn't appear to be on here). A truck stop one hour outside of Toronto is not on Canada's east coast. Not even close. #BBC #R4
January 13, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Reposted by Russ Swan
We have launched RIOT ACT. A new play by Andy Barrett about the Notts framework knitters & the rise of the Luddites. A bold piece that will receive its premiere as a rehearsed reading at the Museum in March. Community actors now wanted. Details here frameworkknittersmuseum.org.uk/get-involved...
January 13, 2026 at 11:15 AM
And that, my friends, is a lucky guess
Wordle 1,667 2/6

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January 11, 2026 at 10:17 AM
I've always thought Morrissey was a pretentious cunt, and I still do. #totp
January 10, 2026 at 11:08 PM