Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Fred Garratt-Stanley @fred-gs.bsky.social · 19h

Great story about a pub that has evolved enormously even in the 8-ish years I've been drinking there - from a quiet backstreet boozer where I'd read English Lit texts with a solo pint, to a spot that is literally always heaving. Real success story

Will Hawkes @willhawkes.bsky.social · 21h

I’ve written for @pelliclemag.com about the Dog and Bell, a unique pub whose evolution over the past 40 years nevertheless illustrates the story of modern London pubs. It’s here: www.pelliclemag.com/home/2025/9/...

There Is A Light That Never Goes Out — The Dog and Bell in Deptford, London — Pellicle

On a Friday night in early December, Deptford’s Dog and Bell is Christmas as imagined by a Haribo-addled toddler.  A huge resin Santa, grinning merrily in his sleigh, squats in Prince Street out...

www.pelliclemag.com

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Reposted by Fred Garratt-Stanley

The Lead @theleaduk.bsky.social · 13d

Earlier this year @fred-gs.bsky.social went to find out why faith is being lost in Great Yarmouth, and speak to the people trying to turn it around

national.thelead.uk/p/a-suspende...

A suspended Reform MP, malaise and discontent on the English seaside

Great Yarmouth and other eastern coastal towns went light blue last summer. With Rupert Lowe now suspended, we ask what the future holds....

national.thelead.uk

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Fred Garratt-Stanley @fred-gs.bsky.social · 16d

The Ballon d'Or is more valuable than ever, and plenty of PR work goes on behind the scenes in the run-up to the event

For @gqmagazine.bsky.social I spoke to @jonlegossip.bsky.social & others about the fight for football's most prestigious individual award

www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/the-...

The murky PR fight for the Ballon d'Or, explained

After a marketing agency contacted a journalist offering money in exchange for positive social media posts about a nominee, we explore what actually goes on behind-the-scenes in the battle for the Bal...

www.gq-magazine.co.uk

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Fred Garratt-Stanley @fred-gs.bsky.social · 21d

It was a pleasure!

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Reposted by Fred Garratt-Stanley

Kimberley @craftbeerpinup.bsky.social · 21d

Give this little interview a watch if you can ⬇️⬇️⬇️

@fred-gs.bsky.social is awesome.

British Guild of Beer Writers @britbeerwriters.bsky.social · 21d

As part of a new series, our Marketing & Events Exec, Kimberley is interviewing our members so we can all get to know them a whole lot better.

In the first instalment, Kimberley
interviews beer writer, @fred-gs.bsky.social

youtu.be/AUiDSaIpytc?...

An interview with Beer Writer, Fred Garratt-Stanley

YouTube video by Craft Beer Pinup

youtu.be

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Fred Garratt-Stanley @fred-gs.bsky.social · 21d

Was great chatting to Kimberley about beer, pubs, and freelance writing for this Guild members interview 🍺 @britbeerwriters.bsky.social

British Guild of Beer Writers @britbeerwriters.bsky.social · 21d

As part of a new series, our Marketing & Events Exec, Kimberley is interviewing our members so we can all get to know them a whole lot better.

In the first instalment, Kimberley
interviews beer writer, @fred-gs.bsky.social

youtu.be/AUiDSaIpytc?...

An interview with Beer Writer, Fred Garratt-Stanley

YouTube video by Craft Beer Pinup

youtu.be

1 1

Reposted by Fred Garratt-Stanley

Fred Garratt-Stanley @fred-gs.bsky.social · Sep 4

"This is a place where the players know your name"

I've loved following @whitehawkfc.bsky.social in the last few years. My latest Substack is a deep dive into the club & its unique vision of Football For All

Please read!

#nonleague #nonleaguefootball #brighton

open.substack.com/pub/fredgarr...

Inside the Evolution of Whitehawk FC

Galvanised by a passionate and politicised fanbase, the East Brighton outfit are showing how non-league clubs can plot an alternative future for football

open.substack.com

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Fred Garratt-Stanley @fred-gs.bsky.social · 27d

"We keep getting drawn to Rome because it keeps changing in front of us," says historian & broadcaster @gregjenner.bsky.social

For US Observer, I spoke to Greg & museum curator Jill Birrel about a new exhibition that offers fresh interpretations of Roman Britain 🏛️

observer.com/2025/09/hist...

This Traveling Exhibition in the U.K. Recasts Gladiators as More Than Sacrificial Lambs

The artifacts and artworks on display paint a refreshingly broad picture of Roman life in the northern reaches of the Empire.

observer.com

3 15

Fred Garratt-Stanley @fred-gs.bsky.social · Sep 4

"This is a place where the players know your name"

I've loved following @whitehawkfc.bsky.social in the last few years. My latest Substack is a deep dive into the club & its unique vision of Football For All

Please read!

#nonleague #nonleaguefootball #brighton

open.substack.com/pub/fredgarr...

Inside the Evolution of Whitehawk FC

Galvanised by a passionate and politicised fanbase, the East Brighton outfit are showing how non-league clubs can plot an alternative future for football

open.substack.com

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Fred Garratt-Stanley @fred-gs.bsky.social · Sep 2

For this piece I visited a range of pubs, clubs & bars in Brighton & Leicester, speaking to venue owners, musicians, and punters about nightlife in their cities🪩🍺

@musicvenuetrust.bsky.social
@ntiaofficial.bsky.social
@ism-music.bsky.social
@camraofficial.bsky.social
@campaignforpubs.bsky.social

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Fred Garratt-Stanley @fred-gs.bsky.social · Sep 1

With venue closures soaring and purse strings tightening, UK nightlife is in crisis.

For @theleaduk.bsky.social I sampled the scenes in two cities — Brighton and Leicester — at opposite ends of the spectrum, asking: what is the future of UK nightlife?

national.thelead.uk/p/from-brigh...

From Brighton to Leicester: Where do people go for a good night out these days?

With venue closures soaring and purse strings tightening, UK nightlife is in crisis. Fred Garratt-Stanley samples two nightlife cities to see if the 'big night out' still exists.

national.thelead.uk

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Fred Garratt-Stanley @fred-gs.bsky.social · Sep 1

Beer people, if you love/have strong opinions about honey ale, I'd love to hear from you for a piece I'm writing. Message me if you're interested!

Fred Garratt-Stanley @fred-gs.bsky.social · Aug 19

In recent years, important strides have been taken to make British football refereeing more diverse. But to level the playing field, there's still serious work to do.

As the Premier League returns, I report on the state of play for @theleaduk.bsky.social✍️

national.thelead.uk/p/level-the-...

Level the playing field: Why are there still so few Black referees?

As the Premier League kicks off this weekend you're unlikely to see a non-white official on the pitch. With so many initiatives to improve diversity in football – why is refereeing lagging behind?

national.thelead.uk

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Reposted by Fred Garratt-Stanley

The Lead @theleaduk.bsky.social · Aug 19

Despite the impact of the late Uriah Rennie - the first person of colour to referee a top-flight English football match - there are still very few non-white referees in football. But things are changing.

✍️ @fred-gs.bsky.social reports

national.thelead.uk/p/level-the-...

Level the playing field: Why are there still so few Black referees?

As the Premier League kicks off this weekend you're unlikely to see a non-white official on the pitch. With so many initiatives to improve diversity in football – why is refereeing lagging behind?

national.thelead.uk

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Fred Garratt-Stanley @fred-gs.bsky.social · Aug 15

The Premier League returns today, and with it, Fantasy Football.

But the proliferation of FPL gurus & stats nerds means it’s harder for casual players to compete than ever. For @gqmagazine.bsky.social I asked: is it worth the hassle?

www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/how-...

How the nerds killed Fantasy Football

What was once a fun pastime for the everyfan has become a ruthless cottage industry of stat-obsessed influencers, BBC-backed experts and now – AI. Is it time to finally pack it in?

www.gq-magazine.co.uk

Fred Garratt-Stanley @fred-gs.bsky.social · Aug 13

Still looking to speak to people for this article - if you've got strong opinions on FPL, I'd love to hear from you! (whatever those opinions may be)

Fred Garratt-Stanley @fred-gs.bsky.social · Aug 12

Are you a casual #FPL player who struggles to compete with friends who follow FPL pros/stats gurus?

If so I’d love to speak to you for a piece I’m working on, please message me if you’re interested #FPLCommunity #journorequest

Fred Garratt-Stanley @fred-gs.bsky.social · Aug 12

Are you a casual #FPL player who struggles to compete with friends who follow FPL pros/stats gurus?

If so I’d love to speak to you for a piece I’m working on, please message me if you’re interested #FPLCommunity #journorequest

Fred Garratt-Stanley @fred-gs.bsky.social · Aug 8

Appreciate the feedback! Platforms like soundiiz definitely seem to be helping people make that transition

Fred Garratt-Stanley @fred-gs.bsky.social · Aug 6

Now we’re cooking with gas

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Fred Garratt-Stanley @fred-gs.bsky.social · Aug 6

We could do a Top Gear style race, one going via London and one taking the south coast/Kent route

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Fred Garratt-Stanley @fred-gs.bsky.social · Aug 5

No other option mate

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Reposted by Fred Garratt-Stanley

Fred Garratt-Stanley @fred-gs.bsky.social · Aug 2

With coastal villages like Happisburgh crumbling into the sea, Norfolk is on the frontline of the UK’s battle to cope with climate change.

I reported on the key issues facing the county for @theleaduk.bsky.social
substack.com/@edwalkerlea...

The Lead Editors (@edwalkerleadnorth)

Entire East Anglian villages could be lost by 2050 – bolder environmental action is desperately needed from the government. @Fred Garratt-Stanley reports in the latest edition of @The Lead

substack.com

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Fred Garratt-Stanley @fred-gs.bsky.social · Aug 5

Haha that is mad, why do they want you to go to the coast & then back inland rather than just going via Canterbury? I think we might have to do it

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Fred Garratt-Stanley @fred-gs.bsky.social · Aug 5

Yeah, the royalties issue has always massively tainted Spotify, but these recent military investments appear to have been the tipping point for a lot of people (including me)

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Fred Garratt-Stanley @fred-gs.bsky.social · Aug 5

Love it, gonna have to visit! 🔰

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