Author | Lightnews

Reposted by Vivien Boyes

Brent River Park @brentriverpark.bsky.social · 10d

This is great news. @openspacessociety.bsky.social has been a champion of our Brent River Park for many years. We look forward to working with Kit to safeguard and enhance our paths and green spaces in Ealing. ealing.news/environment/...

Law student takes up fight to defend Ealing’s open spaces - EALING.NEWS - The Voice of Ealing's 7 towns - Acton, Ealing, Greenford, Hanwell, Northolt, Perivale, Southall.

Britain’s oldest conservation charity has appointed a new local advocate to protect green spaces across Ealing.

ealing.news

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John Ashburner @johnashburner.bsky.social · Aug 10

A few #Pollinatorpals from Warren Farm in west London yesterday.
#WildflowerHour
@warrenfarmnr.bsky.social

Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus) on Hoary Mustard

Small Spotty-eyed Drone Fly (Eristalinus sepulchralis) on Hoary Mustard.

Brown Argus (Aricia agestis), a bit late for this Common Knapweed.

Blue Mason Bee (Osmia caerulescens - I think) on Black Horehound.

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Rory Cellan-Jones @rorycj.bsky.social · Jun 29

Awake at 6 to find we’re still needing 60 signatures by 0820 to hit our daily #parkypetition100K target - please sign! petition.parliament.uk/petitions/71...

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Vivien Boyes @vivienboyes.bsky.social · Jun 24

As part of the 50th Anniversary Celebrations for the Brent River Park, I shall be holding a creative writing workshop, taking a sideways look at the stories rubbish can tell. Meet at the Bandstand in Churchfields, Hanwell at 1200, this Sunday 29th June. Bring writing materials.

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John Ashburner @johnashburner.bsky.social · Jun 22

The Lady's Bedstraw at @warrenfarmnr.bsky.social is in full bloom and smelling gorgeous.
#wildflowerhour

A male Sphaerophoria scripta hoverfly on Lady's Bedstraw.

A massive of Lady's Bedstraw at Warren Farm.

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John Ashburner @johnashburner.bsky.social · Jun 15

A bit late for #wildflowerhour, but the @warrenfarmnr.bsky.social bee orchids are blooming again this year.

Bee Orchids. Warren Farm, west London. 14/06/25

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Vivien Boyes @vivienboyes.bsky.social · Jun 14

What I appreciate most about the City is that amongst towering new buildings there are still human-scale streets and green spaces. In Bunhill Fields, mature trees created a canopy muffling, the sounds from City Road, birds were singing and there was a sense of calm. William Blake is buried here.

Green lawn beneath the shade of tall trees. Photo Vivien Boyes

Mature trees spread their canopy to shade Bunhill Fields. Photo Vivien Boyes

A red rose topping William Blake’s memorial stone, Bunhill Fields. Photo Vivien Boyes

John Bunyon’s monument in Bunhill Fields, remodelled in 1862 with prone effigy of Bunyon. Photo Vivien Boyes

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Vivien Boyes @vivienboyes.bsky.social · Jun 14

Sometimes I like to find time to wander around that odd juxtaposition of old and startlingly new which is the City of London.🧵

Cranes and tower blocks rise up beyond smaller buildings at Finsbury Square. Photo Vivien Boyes

An old, brick- built house sandwiched in amongst new glass facades and towering new buildings. Photo Vivien Boyes

Sculpture at the base of a flight of steps leading between new buildings . Shadows and sunlight. Photo Vivien Boyes

A crèche of Lime Bikes with tower blocks beyond and a tree casting shadows in the foreground. Photo Vivien Boyes

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Vivien Boyes @vivienboyes.bsky.social · Jun 13

Stumbled on this beautiful art work beside the Grand Union Canal on the Trumper’s Way bridge in Hanwell. More of the artist’s work:- ecwoodard.com

Art showing a dog and a cat in human dress cuddling with the text “Be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.”

A wider view of the same artwork showing the bridge and the canal.

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Brent River Park @brentriverpark.bsky.social · Jun 2

Come celebrate our #BrentRiverPark 50th
Anniversary!🌿🥳🎂Sunday 29th June join us as we unveil new history signs to mark the astonishing vision of Luke FitzHerbert who brought our 7km park to life! Wildlife walks/talks, food, history, arts, writing, fun run, maypole, fundraiser launch and more!💚

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Vivien Boyes @vivienboyes.bsky.social · Jun 2

In some of the pubs at the Fishguard Folk Festival the sessions begin at 12 and carry on into the evening with different musicians leading two hour slots so the genres shift throughout the day but it’s possible to stay for hours and play. Musicians of all levels join in.

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Vivien Boyes @vivienboyes.bsky.social · May 30

That sounds a lot of fun. I’m glad your Dad got to join in too. It sounds a bit like what was going on at #FishguardFolkFestival last Sunday. Love live sessions!

Large group of musicians jamming together at the Royal Oak Fishguard.

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RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · May 23

Labour promised to restore nature. ❌

Instead, their Planning Bill contains a licence to destroy it.

We offered solutions. We’re done waiting.

Part 3 of the Bill would gut the laws protecting our most precious habitats & species.

Without significant change, it must be scrapped.

Screenshot of a Guardian news article with the headline: “Wildlife charities urge Labour to scrap ‘licence to kill nature’ in planning bill.” The subheading reads: “Conservationists say part of bill allowing developers to avoid environmental laws by paying into nature fund should be ditched.” Below, a protest photo shows handmade signs in woodland. One reads “BAT FACTS – 14 species of bat in Buckinghamshire. Bats are the only mammals that can fly.” Another says “FAT CATS KILL BATS” in bold letters. The image underscores public anger and the scale of opposition to the proposed Planning Bill.

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Chris Dempster @chrisdempster.bsky.social · May 22

#Disabilities Rights activist and all round good egg @gaelynnlea.bsky.social is playing the Glad Cafe in #Glasgow this weekend. Check out her awesome Tiny Desk Concert here youtu.be/n6oSeODGmoQ

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Justsmudge @justsmudge.bsky.social · May 23

🌿☕Good morning☀️

How do roses smell? 🌹 Gorgeous of course💃

Rose petals have microscopic perfume glands on their lower petals, responsible for producing their 💐 scent 💕 This is due to a gene that triggers enzyme RhNUDX1, this chemical makes cells in 🌹 petals produce the chemical monoterpene geraniol

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Vivien Boyes @vivienboyes.bsky.social · May 19

Here’s a couple of photos from the Birmingham gig @bmusicltd.bsky.social was a great venue . Looking forward to Cardiff.

Gaelynn Lea with her violin at Birmingham Symphony Hall. Photo Vivien Boyes.

Richard Carter playing guitar for Gaelynn Lea at Birmingham Symphony Hall. Photo Vivien Boyes.

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Gaelynn Lea @gaelynnlea.bsky.social · May 18

So grateful for this tour & all the wonderful people we've been able to meet and visit along the way. Yesterday's show at @bandonthewall.bsky.social and today's show at @bmusicltd.bsky.social were both delightful. Next up, Cardiff, Leeds & Scotland!

🇬🇧📆🎟️ GET TICKETS HERE:
violinscratches.com/shows

Gaelynn Lea poses with Richard, Sophie (the GreenMatthews), Elle Chante and Chris (the GreenMatthews) at the Jennifer Blackwell Performance Space by the windows at Birmingham Symphony Hall

Gaelynn and Richard perform in the Jennifer Blackwell Performance Space in Birmingham Symphony Hall in front of a black wall that reads B:Music in big gold letters

Gaelynn, Paul, their friend Babs and Richard pose in a hotel lobby before leaving Manchester

Gaelynn and Richard perform at Band On The Wall in Manchester in front of a red curtain

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Gaelynn Lea @gaelynnlea.bsky.social · May 13

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT!

Gaelynn is so excited to have Rightkeysonly joining her as a special guest at Chapter Arts in Cardiff, Wales, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

Learn more: rightkeysonly6.wixsite.com/rightkeysonly
Get Tickets: violinscratches.com/shows

Image description: a picture of Rightkeysonly. With a purple background, she is smiling at the camera. She has long, multicolored hair and is wearing a mock sleeveless turtleneck.

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Vivien Boyes @vivienboyes.bsky.social · May 13

Great gig at @cafeotodalston.bsky.social last night, even if you did mention the M word a few times @gaelynnlea.bsky.social 😱Those “Scottish Play” melodies are so evocative.

Gaelynn Lea plays the violin during her gig at Cafe Oto Dalston accompanied by Richard Carter on guitar. Photo Vivien Boyes

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Gaelynn Lea @gaelynnlea.bsky.social · May 6

Gaelynn’s UK album release tour for her new recording – “Music from Macbeth” – starts soon! Her second batch of shows are in Nottingham, Manchester and Birmingham… Hope to see you there!

Get tickets: violinscratches.com/shows
Get her new music: gaelynnlea.bandcamp.com

Image description: a graphic announcing Gaelynn's concert with James Holt. Saturday, 17.05.25 in Manchester UK at BAND ON THE WALL. Gaelynn in a blue dress with a blue and brown flower in her long, dark hair. She is holding a violin and sitting in front of a harbor looking out over the water.

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Vivien Boyes @vivienboyes.bsky.social · May 8

Not everyone was partying on VE Day, my mother was watching from her office in the Ministry of War. She was disappointed that her amateur dramatics performance in the evening was poorly attended #VEDay

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Brent River Park @brentriverpark.bsky.social · May 7

Disposable barbecues are dangerous when there has been little rain and the ground is dry.

Barbecues are banned in all Ealing and Hounslow parks.

www.aroundealing.com/news/bbqs/

www.hounslow.gov.uk/info/20168/p...

news.stv.tv/west-central...

Disposable BBQ causes wildfire the size of ‘two rugby pitches’

The charity warned the fire could have been ‘much worse’ if not for the efforts of firefighters.

news.stv.tv

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Vivien Boyes @vivienboyes.bsky.social · Apr 27

Hearing Roger McGough read at Ealing Book Festival this morning was so refreshing. when I saw him and other Liverpool poets perform when I was a teenager, it convinced me there was more to poetry than obscure language and pomposity. Love the way he plays with words.

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Vivien Boyes @vivienboyes.bsky.social · Apr 19

A fine and very wetting rain bringing a rainbow arching low over the bay #NewportPembrokeshire

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Robert Macfarlane @robgmacfarlane.bsky.social · Apr 17

This–– @robcowen.bsky.social’s The North Road––is out today.
It's magnificent: one of the best books you'll read this year.
A polyphonic walking-up of the ghosts & lives of the Great North Road; a bravura act of imagining in which RC seems to slip supernaturally between times & minds.
So, so good.

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