Simon Briercliffe
@simonbriercliffe.bsky.social
Historian at the Black Country Museum and elsewhere: talk to me about the Black Country, Shropshire, modern and local British history, the Irish in Britain, museums, local heritage and all stops in between. Baby gaeilgeoir. https://simonbriercliffe.com/
Great, but there may be options not related to a terrible politician?
‘The only woman for the job!’ Nigella Lawson must be the new Bake Off judge
‘The only woman for the job!’ Nigella Lawson must be the new Bake Off judge
The TV chef is rumoured to be replacing Prue Leith on The Great British Bake Off. She is exactly what the show needs right now
www.theguardian.com
January 22, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Great, but there may be options not related to a terrible politician?
Reposted by Simon Briercliffe
Fab looking conference from @mrcwarwick.bsky.social - Blood is the price of coal.
Call for papers open until Sunday - have a look!
18 June for the event itself - hoping to be a part of it!
warwick.ac.uk/services/lib...
Call for papers open until Sunday - have a look!
18 June for the event itself - hoping to be a part of it!
warwick.ac.uk/services/lib...
Call for papers
warwick.ac.uk
January 22, 2026 at 2:44 PM
Fab looking conference from @mrcwarwick.bsky.social - Blood is the price of coal.
Call for papers open until Sunday - have a look!
18 June for the event itself - hoping to be a part of it!
warwick.ac.uk/services/lib...
Call for papers open until Sunday - have a look!
18 June for the event itself - hoping to be a part of it!
warwick.ac.uk/services/lib...
Reposted by Simon Briercliffe
‘We’ve gone on holiday by mistake’
January 21, 2026 at 9:26 PM
‘We’ve gone on holiday by mistake’
@paulba31.bsky.social hi Paul, any chance you could drop me an email? Think I've only got an outdated one for you!
January 21, 2026 at 2:15 PM
@paulba31.bsky.social hi Paul, any chance you could drop me an email? Think I've only got an outdated one for you!
I love this, such a straightforward and honest way to think about patriotism.
Falling in love with bits of your environment and culture as you get to know them is a natural human habit. It's not a meaningful philosophy that should guide your conscience.
January 20, 2026 at 2:20 PM
I love this, such a straightforward and honest way to think about patriotism.
I'm now imagining your man attempting to argue that Kidderminster should be ceded to the US. Those are strategically important carpet factory shops and the enthusiasm for US troops at the steam railway 1940s day makes it clear that it's an American outpost.
January 18, 2026 at 7:57 PM
I'm now imagining your man attempting to argue that Kidderminster should be ceded to the US. Those are strategically important carpet factory shops and the enthusiasm for US troops at the steam railway 1940s day makes it clear that it's an American outpost.
Reposted by Simon Briercliffe
I'm stepping out of my normal period a bit - can anyone suggest sources which might show how/where raw materials were bought for the manufacture of ships in the 18th century? Can be military or civilian, but I'd like to find out where shipbuilders were getting certain metal supplies from.
January 16, 2026 at 12:12 PM
I'm stepping out of my normal period a bit - can anyone suggest sources which might show how/where raw materials were bought for the manufacture of ships in the 18th century? Can be military or civilian, but I'd like to find out where shipbuilders were getting certain metal supplies from.
I'm stepping out of my normal period a bit - can anyone suggest sources which might show how/where raw materials were bought for the manufacture of ships in the 18th century? Can be military or civilian, but I'd like to find out where shipbuilders were getting certain metal supplies from.
January 16, 2026 at 12:12 PM
I'm stepping out of my normal period a bit - can anyone suggest sources which might show how/where raw materials were bought for the manufacture of ships in the 18th century? Can be military or civilian, but I'd like to find out where shipbuilders were getting certain metal supplies from.
Reposted by Simon Briercliffe
The UK has declined a new Elbit Systems contract, leading Palestine Action prisoners to end the hunger strike that had three of them on the brink of death. The Tesco worker suspended for refusing to handle Israeli goods has been reinstated and will no longer have to handle them. We can and will win
January 15, 2026 at 7:43 AM
The UK has declined a new Elbit Systems contract, leading Palestine Action prisoners to end the hunger strike that had three of them on the brink of death. The Tesco worker suspended for refusing to handle Israeli goods has been reinstated and will no longer have to handle them. We can and will win
Rough times ahead for everyone at Ironbridge: www.shropshirestar.com/news/local-h...
Up to 50 jobs to go at Ironbridge Museums as National Trust gears up to take over
Up to 50 jobs are set to go at Ironbridge's museums as the National Trust gears up to take over.
www.shropshirestar.com
January 13, 2026 at 7:05 PM
Rough times ahead for everyone at Ironbridge: www.shropshirestar.com/news/local-h...
Reposted by Simon Briercliffe
Want to learn more about SABRE Maps? Not sure which #maps we have available or how to find them? Or what other mapping functions we have? Perhaps you just like maps, history or the railways? Join us for our first-ever Zoom session, Wed 14 Jan 2026 - free at 1930 UK/Ireland time. buff.ly/JxwTeg1
January 8, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Want to learn more about SABRE Maps? Not sure which #maps we have available or how to find them? Or what other mapping functions we have? Perhaps you just like maps, history or the railways? Join us for our first-ever Zoom session, Wed 14 Jan 2026 - free at 1930 UK/Ireland time. buff.ly/JxwTeg1
Reposted by Simon Briercliffe
What's your favourite thing about the SHS Conference?
As our applications are currently *OPEN*, we look back at what some of 2025's attendees loved about the SHS Conference!
(No fairground this year, but lots of 50th anniversary celebrations!)
As our applications are currently *OPEN*, we look back at what some of 2025's attendees loved about the SHS Conference!
(No fairground this year, but lots of 50th anniversary celebrations!)
January 6, 2026 at 9:50 AM
What's your favourite thing about the SHS Conference?
As our applications are currently *OPEN*, we look back at what some of 2025's attendees loved about the SHS Conference!
(No fairground this year, but lots of 50th anniversary celebrations!)
As our applications are currently *OPEN*, we look back at what some of 2025's attendees loved about the SHS Conference!
(No fairground this year, but lots of 50th anniversary celebrations!)
Reposted by Simon Briercliffe
✨ Call for Papers ✨
Are you a postgrad, ECR, independent scholar, or heritage professional researching any aspect of Midlands history?
We'd love to hear about your work at our New Voices in Midland History Conference on Saturday 6 June at Newark Museum.
CfP details below 👇 deadline 31 March.
Are you a postgrad, ECR, independent scholar, or heritage professional researching any aspect of Midlands history?
We'd love to hear about your work at our New Voices in Midland History Conference on Saturday 6 June at Newark Museum.
CfP details below 👇 deadline 31 March.
January 12, 2026 at 1:10 PM
✨ Call for Papers ✨
Are you a postgrad, ECR, independent scholar, or heritage professional researching any aspect of Midlands history?
We'd love to hear about your work at our New Voices in Midland History Conference on Saturday 6 June at Newark Museum.
CfP details below 👇 deadline 31 March.
Are you a postgrad, ECR, independent scholar, or heritage professional researching any aspect of Midlands history?
We'd love to hear about your work at our New Voices in Midland History Conference on Saturday 6 June at Newark Museum.
CfP details below 👇 deadline 31 March.
Reposted by Simon Briercliffe
Comedy is all about timing. In this case, 3 decades.
January 12, 2026 at 10:03 AM
Comedy is all about timing. In this case, 3 decades.
Post a pic of the venue where you saw your first concert and the band or artist.
Ten points if you can guess either.
Ten points if you can guess either.
January 11, 2026 at 1:49 PM
Post a pic of the venue where you saw your first concert and the band or artist.
Ten points if you can guess either.
Ten points if you can guess either.
If you see this, post a vampire that isn't Dracula.
January 8, 2026 at 6:31 PM
If you see this, post a vampire that isn't Dracula.
Reposted by Simon Briercliffe
Hi Blueskystorians - I'm looking for your favourite, recent-ish examples of work that is conceived and published as local history, but reaches out to national/global themes. Any thoughts?
January 8, 2026 at 10:14 AM
Hi Blueskystorians - I'm looking for your favourite, recent-ish examples of work that is conceived and published as local history, but reaches out to national/global themes. Any thoughts?
Hi Blueskystorians - I'm looking for your favourite, recent-ish examples of work that is conceived and published as local history, but reaches out to national/global themes. Any thoughts?
January 8, 2026 at 10:14 AM
Hi Blueskystorians - I'm looking for your favourite, recent-ish examples of work that is conceived and published as local history, but reaches out to national/global themes. Any thoughts?
Feel like they missed a trick when it could have been Storm Gorecki, equally pleasing to fans of serialist dissonance or 90s triphop www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK weather: Storm Goretti approaches UK as Met Office issues new snow and ice warnings
Hundreds of schools have been closed due to the snow and cold temperatures.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 6, 2026 at 9:04 PM
Feel like they missed a trick when it could have been Storm Gorecki, equally pleasing to fans of serialist dissonance or 90s triphop www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Simon Briercliffe
Inside you are two birds (derogatory)
January 5, 2026 at 11:16 AM
Inside you are two birds (derogatory)
Unexpected new skill: bathing chickens
January 4, 2026 at 3:20 PM
Unexpected new skill: bathing chickens
Personally I'm a mid-Elizabethan.
As a historian, I fully embrace that the 1990s are now considered a historical era worthy of being analysed properly.
As someone in their mid-40s, this is also an outrageous insult to suggest that a significant passage of time has occurred!
As someone in their mid-40s, this is also an outrageous insult to suggest that a significant passage of time has occurred!
Gonna start referring to anything from 1970-1999 as “The late 1900s” and see what happens.
January 1, 2026 at 9:55 AM
Personally I'm a mid-Elizabethan.
Reposted by Simon Briercliffe
orcas have the chance to do the funniest thing
December 31, 2025 at 5:25 PM
orcas have the chance to do the funniest thing
One last walk in the Shropshire countryside before starting all over again in 2026 tomorrow. This is from Barrington, looking over towards the Stretton Hills and the setting sun.
December 31, 2025 at 5:18 PM
One last walk in the Shropshire countryside before starting all over again in 2026 tomorrow. This is from Barrington, looking over towards the Stretton Hills and the setting sun.
Reposted by Simon Briercliffe
Give me your best recent British & Irish LGBTQI+ history recommendations! I'm updating the reading list for my queer & trans history module. Looking for things published in the last 2-3 years. 🌈🎓 🌈 🏳️⚧️ #queerhistory
December 29, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Give me your best recent British & Irish LGBTQI+ history recommendations! I'm updating the reading list for my queer & trans history module. Looking for things published in the last 2-3 years. 🌈🎓 🌈 🏳️⚧️ #queerhistory