Stephen Gower
@sjgower.bsky.social
Oxford. Mostly gets around by bike.
Scholars may have decided that it's looking backwards over its wings, but have they considered it may instead be the earliest picture of @owlsintowels.org ?
The oldest known image of an owl:
More than 30,000 years ago, someone skillfully scratched the figure of a long-eared owl (Asio otus) into the soft outer layer of the walls of Chauvet Cave, France. The owl is looking backward over their wings, head turned 180 degrees
carnegiemnh.org/ancient-owl-...
More than 30,000 years ago, someone skillfully scratched the figure of a long-eared owl (Asio otus) into the soft outer layer of the walls of Chauvet Cave, France. The owl is looking backward over their wings, head turned 180 degrees
carnegiemnh.org/ancient-owl-...
February 9, 2026 at 8:25 AM
Scholars may have decided that it's looking backwards over its wings, but have they considered it may instead be the earliest picture of @owlsintowels.org ?
Reposted by Stephen Gower
The oldest known image of an owl:
More than 30,000 years ago, someone skillfully scratched the figure of a long-eared owl (Asio otus) into the soft outer layer of the walls of Chauvet Cave, France. The owl is looking backward over their wings, head turned 180 degrees
carnegiemnh.org/ancient-owl-...
More than 30,000 years ago, someone skillfully scratched the figure of a long-eared owl (Asio otus) into the soft outer layer of the walls of Chauvet Cave, France. The owl is looking backward over their wings, head turned 180 degrees
carnegiemnh.org/ancient-owl-...
February 8, 2026 at 6:08 PM
The oldest known image of an owl:
More than 30,000 years ago, someone skillfully scratched the figure of a long-eared owl (Asio otus) into the soft outer layer of the walls of Chauvet Cave, France. The owl is looking backward over their wings, head turned 180 degrees
carnegiemnh.org/ancient-owl-...
More than 30,000 years ago, someone skillfully scratched the figure of a long-eared owl (Asio otus) into the soft outer layer of the walls of Chauvet Cave, France. The owl is looking backward over their wings, head turned 180 degrees
carnegiemnh.org/ancient-owl-...
Reposted by Stephen Gower
‘Can cork man stay afloat?’ was right there.
Cork man Morgan McSweeney is embroiled in a scandal over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK Ambassador to the US
Who is Irish Starmer aide at centre of Mandelson scandal?
www.rte.ie
February 5, 2026 at 6:06 PM
‘Can cork man stay afloat?’ was right there.
What's the nicest model filter in terms of placemaking?
I've gone off the planter thing a bit and am beginning to think a row of wooden bollards is as nice as anything, especially in a location that gets a lot of littering.
I've gone off the planter thing a bit and am beginning to think a row of wooden bollards is as nice as anything, especially in a location that gets a lot of littering.
February 5, 2026 at 5:47 PM
What's the nicest model filter in terms of placemaking?
I've gone off the planter thing a bit and am beginning to think a row of wooden bollards is as nice as anything, especially in a location that gets a lot of littering.
I've gone off the planter thing a bit and am beginning to think a row of wooden bollards is as nice as anything, especially in a location that gets a lot of littering.
Reposted by Stephen Gower
It's all go down at Oxford station. The old bridge decks have been removed, with work now focusing on removing the abutments.
February 2, 2026 at 2:21 PM
It's all go down at Oxford station. The old bridge decks have been removed, with work now focusing on removing the abutments.
I just like to say STAIR LTG EMG TEST KEY SW IN MAINS RM RISER
January 19, 2026 at 12:57 PM
I just like to say STAIR LTG EMG TEST KEY SW IN MAINS RM RISER
Sam's tactic was actually good for the team during the game. The shield was there to waste time as people looked for it rather than the answer. He completely nullified that in the first move. #TheTraitors #TheTraitorsUK
January 15, 2026 at 8:52 PM
Sam's tactic was actually good for the team during the game. The shield was there to waste time as people looked for it rather than the answer. He completely nullified that in the first move. #TheTraitors #TheTraitorsUK
Reposted by Stephen Gower
🚨 BREAKING:
A legal bid to halt Oxford’s congestion charge has been turned down. The High Court today refused an application for judicial review by Open Roads For Oxford Ltd, which had raised £60,000 “from private donations, transfers from aligned funds, and our GoFundMe campaign” to bring the case.
A legal bid to halt Oxford’s congestion charge has been turned down. The High Court today refused an application for judicial review by Open Roads For Oxford Ltd, which had raised £60,000 “from private donations, transfers from aligned funds, and our GoFundMe campaign” to bring the case.
January 15, 2026 at 3:50 PM
🚨 BREAKING:
A legal bid to halt Oxford’s congestion charge has been turned down. The High Court today refused an application for judicial review by Open Roads For Oxford Ltd, which had raised £60,000 “from private donations, transfers from aligned funds, and our GoFundMe campaign” to bring the case.
A legal bid to halt Oxford’s congestion charge has been turned down. The High Court today refused an application for judicial review by Open Roads For Oxford Ltd, which had raised £60,000 “from private donations, transfers from aligned funds, and our GoFundMe campaign” to bring the case.
The number of private hire vehicle (PHV) taxis in Oxford has risen by 60% since July 2023.
(Source: www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/numb...).
(Source: www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/numb...).
January 13, 2026 at 1:23 PM
The number of private hire vehicle (PHV) taxis in Oxford has risen by 60% since July 2023.
(Source: www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/numb...).
(Source: www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/numb...).
Reposted by Stephen Gower
And the consequence to this is of course that those parking in the public domain without paying rent are in fact stealing land from the public and the public have every right to want their land back
January 13, 2026 at 12:16 AM
And the consequence to this is of course that those parking in the public domain without paying rent are in fact stealing land from the public and the public have every right to want their land back
Reposted by Stephen Gower
Parking on the pavement in London has been illegal for 52 years and in the rest of the UK it's just a fact of life. Central government just opted against a blanket national ban. Anyway here's an excellent advert from when it was banned in London: www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8Yg...
January 8, 2026 at 10:31 AM
Parking on the pavement in London has been illegal for 52 years and in the rest of the UK it's just a fact of life. Central government just opted against a blanket national ban. Anyway here's an excellent advert from when it was banned in London: www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8Yg...
Grit Bins in Oxford (data from Feb 2024 www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/grit... )
January 5, 2026 at 12:02 PM
Grit Bins in Oxford (data from Feb 2024 www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/grit... )
Reposted by Stephen Gower
The strategic road network is managed by a charity and relies on the goodwill of land owners for access. Some motorways will be muddy and flooded each winter.
Also
The strategic road network stops randomly at council boundaries and investment is where councils are willing.
(UK edition).
Also
The strategic road network stops randomly at council boundaries and investment is where councils are willing.
(UK edition).
December 29, 2025 at 11:24 AM
The strategic road network is managed by a charity and relies on the goodwill of land owners for access. Some motorways will be muddy and flooded each winter.
Also
The strategic road network stops randomly at council boundaries and investment is where councils are willing.
(UK edition).
Also
The strategic road network stops randomly at council boundaries and investment is where councils are willing.
(UK edition).
Reposted by Stephen Gower
The government can't clean up the illegal landfill because it's too expensive to pay money to a different bit of the government.
This is absurd. Get in a room and sort it out.
This is absurd. Get in a room and sort it out.
Environment Agency faces landfill tax bill worth millions to clear illegal waste
Exclusive: ‘extremely unhelpful’ policy seen as deterrent to clearing thousands of dump sites across England
www.theguardian.com
December 6, 2025 at 2:09 PM
The government can't clean up the illegal landfill because it's too expensive to pay money to a different bit of the government.
This is absurd. Get in a room and sort it out.
This is absurd. Get in a room and sort it out.
Reposted by Stephen Gower
Stick it in the Louvre.
genuinely not photoshopped before you ask www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-...
November 26, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Stick it in the Louvre.
Reposted by Stephen Gower
Since 2011 the fuel duty freeze has cost the Treasury £133 billion.
This huge amount could have paid for lower train and bus fares, better stations, safer walking, wheeling and cycling and much more!
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
This huge amount could have paid for lower train and bus fares, better stations, safer walking, wheeling and cycling and much more!
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Rachel Reeves will freeze fuel duty to dodge ‘political suicide’
The chancellor will also highlight a rise in the minimum wage and plans to cut energy bills as she tries to win over voters by focusing on cost of living
www.thetimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Since 2011 the fuel duty freeze has cost the Treasury £133 billion.
This huge amount could have paid for lower train and bus fares, better stations, safer walking, wheeling and cycling and much more!
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
This huge amount could have paid for lower train and bus fares, better stations, safer walking, wheeling and cycling and much more!
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Reposted by Stephen Gower
London's most dangerous junction for cycling has had thirty injuries in the last five years. Oxford's Plain roundabout has had forty injuries in that time.
November 20, 2025 at 8:04 PM
London's most dangerous junction for cycling has had thirty injuries in the last five years. Oxford's Plain roundabout has had forty injuries in that time.
Reposted by Stephen Gower
If you want to see a government ACTUALLY “losing control” of something, helpless in the face of organised crime, look at this:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Kidlington fly-tipping: Criminals dump mountain of waste in field
The enormous pile of rubbish is called an
www.bbc.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 6:49 PM
If you want to see a government ACTUALLY “losing control” of something, helpless in the face of organised crime, look at this:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Stephen Gower
The first tenant has been announced at Oxford North.
November 5, 2025 at 11:21 AM
The first tenant has been announced at Oxford North.
Reposted by Stephen Gower
This new database will fix almost everything annoying about driving (FREE TO READ!)
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/fix-annoyi...
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/fix-annoyi...
This new database will fix almost everything annoying about driving
The government is quietly building something excellent
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk
October 23, 2025 at 6:07 AM
This new database will fix almost everything annoying about driving (FREE TO READ!)
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/fix-annoyi...
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/fix-annoyi...
Reposted by Stephen Gower
Chiltern Railways has conceded that East West Rail services from Oxford to Milton Keynes are unlikely to start this year, after troubles were first reported by the Clarion. A statement that “we are confident that trains will be running this year” has been quietly removed from their website.
October 21, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Chiltern Railways has conceded that East West Rail services from Oxford to Milton Keynes are unlikely to start this year, after troubles were first reported by the Clarion. A statement that “we are confident that trains will be running this year” has been quietly removed from their website.
Reposted by Stephen Gower
London is proud to host Japan's Grand Sumo Tournament this week - it's fantastic to see the the teams using our cycling infrastructure to get around.
October 15, 2025 at 11:10 AM
London is proud to host Japan's Grand Sumo Tournament this week - it's fantastic to see the the teams using our cycling infrastructure to get around.
I made an infographic map. Oxford's Congestion Charge scheme (from 29th Oct) is not like most congestion charge schemes, because you can get to most streets in the city without being charged. My impression is a lot of people haven't realised this.
October 12, 2025 at 12:36 PM
I made an infographic map. Oxford's Congestion Charge scheme (from 29th Oct) is not like most congestion charge schemes, because you can get to most streets in the city without being charged. My impression is a lot of people haven't realised this.
Reposted by Stephen Gower
The man didn’t research so you don’t have to.
3kg of sweets in 3 days is likely bad for your health.
Important pre-Halloween EBM.
3kg of sweets in 3 days is likely bad for your health.
Important pre-Halloween EBM.
Barnsley man in hospital after three-day cola bottles binge
Nathan Rimmington ate his way through 3kg of sweets - and doctors were shocked he survived.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 10, 2025 at 8:35 PM
The man didn’t research so you don’t have to.
3kg of sweets in 3 days is likely bad for your health.
Important pre-Halloween EBM.
3kg of sweets in 3 days is likely bad for your health.
Important pre-Halloween EBM.