Stewart Parsons
@libraryfiend.bsky.social
Founder of Get It Loud In Libraries www.loudinlibraries.com cool programme of doorstep library gigs with future BRIT & Grammy winners. Born to live in Scotland. Lover of music, books, libraries, radio, dogs, PNE & wife Elizabeth. A BEM, no less.
Pinned
Stewart Parsons
@libraryfiend.bsky.social
· Jun 17
So,as a little thought-experiment, tell me something about the United Kingdom that works well and is actually quite impressive. I am not trying to sound like some boosterish politician. I just genuinely believe that making people believe that all is lost is a convenient pretext for shady characters.
For 175 years, public libraries, despite often steeply declining Govt support, have served the educational, information and entertainment needs of the general public. Staffed by a committed national family of workers determined to transform the life chances of some 7.3mill people.Oh, and it's free.
Reposted by Stewart Parsons
Yeah, this is a serious failing. Same as when Thatcher's pick, Marmaduke Hussey, forced out Alasdair Milne: hushed up, opaque, behind closed doors, secretive. This is a public body, using licence fee funds, operating according to the scrutiny of an elected government. It should be transparent.
Question are the BBC Board minutes in the public domain? Or is it just a summary? Wondering why other 'independent' institutions like the BoE Monetary Committee do put out reports & not the BBC @iandunt.bsky.social
@peterjukes.bsky.social
@hardeepmatharu.bsky.social
@johnsweeneyroar.bsky.social
@peterjukes.bsky.social
@hardeepmatharu.bsky.social
@johnsweeneyroar.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Yeah, this is a serious failing. Same as when Thatcher's pick, Marmaduke Hussey, forced out Alasdair Milne: hushed up, opaque, behind closed doors, secretive. This is a public body, using licence fee funds, operating according to the scrutiny of an elected government. It should be transparent.
Today is a day that is leaving me utterly speechless.
Sky News just had Kelvin Mackenzie on, former editor of The Sun, one of the people at the centre of probably the most disgraceful front page in newspaper history, complaining about BBC journalists not being objective and 'fake news'. Astonishing. ~AA
November 10, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Today is a day that is leaving me utterly speechless.
Reposted by Stewart Parsons
Maybe Keir should demand the heads of major US news networks any time they imply Britain is on the brink of civil war or that we live under sharia law. Or does it not work both ways?
November 10, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Maybe Keir should demand the heads of major US news networks any time they imply Britain is on the brink of civil war or that we live under sharia law. Or does it not work both ways?
Reposted by Stewart Parsons
Once every 20 years or so, the director-general of the BBC is forced to resign for being insufficiently rightwing. Alastair Milne in 1987. Greg Dyke in 2004. Tim Davie in 2025. The great irony is that the BBC was in all cases profoundly biased towards established power. But just not biased enough …
November 10, 2025 at 5:44 AM
Once every 20 years or so, the director-general of the BBC is forced to resign for being insufficiently rightwing. Alastair Milne in 1987. Greg Dyke in 2004. Tim Davie in 2025. The great irony is that the BBC was in all cases profoundly biased towards established power. But just not biased enough …
The selection of interviewees to explain the BBC fiasco is utterly telling on #R4Today I might have to measure my consumption of this story in small doses today lest my head goes pop.
So far on #r4today we've had people on what is now considered centre right (Yelland, Oliver) defending the BBC against the far right - Charles Moore.
Any chance of hearing from someone from a centre/leftish position?
Any chance of hearing from someone from a centre/leftish position?
November 10, 2025 at 8:16 AM
The selection of interviewees to explain the BBC fiasco is utterly telling on #R4Today I might have to measure my consumption of this story in small doses today lest my head goes pop.
Reposted by Stewart Parsons
This has been obvious for some time. None are so blind as those who will not see.
‘Elon Musk won’t stop. It’s time the British government got off X’ | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 8:47 PM
This has been obvious for some time. None are so blind as those who will not see.
Reposted by Stewart Parsons
the right winger who was appointed to lead the BBC in the hope of appeasing right wingers has been driven out by right wingers for not appeasing right wingers enough and the BBC has the chance to do the funniest thing ever
November 9, 2025 at 6:38 PM
the right winger who was appointed to lead the BBC in the hope of appeasing right wingers has been driven out by right wingers for not appeasing right wingers enough and the BBC has the chance to do the funniest thing ever
Reposted by Stewart Parsons
More than any time since the 1980s, perhaps ever, the BBC needs a journalistic warrior to lead it. Someone who can see the shape of a fight coming and work out how to win it and have the will to do so. Davie was never that guy. It can't be a hack from the queue. Maybe it should be a refugee from CBS
November 9, 2025 at 8:41 PM
More than any time since the 1980s, perhaps ever, the BBC needs a journalistic warrior to lead it. Someone who can see the shape of a fight coming and work out how to win it and have the will to do so. Davie was never that guy. It can't be a hack from the queue. Maybe it should be a refugee from CBS
Ten seconds of 'Say It Ain't So, Joe' by Murray Head reducing me to tears much be some genius songwriting... #GuyGarvey #6Music
November 9, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Ten seconds of 'Say It Ain't So, Joe' by Murray Head reducing me to tears much be some genius songwriting... #GuyGarvey #6Music
Reposted by Stewart Parsons
More reading tests won’t help children improve their literacy – here’s what will [spoiler alert, these letters include libraries & librarians as key to reading] Letters | The Guardian
More reading tests won’t help children improve their literacy – here’s what will | Letters
Letters: Michael Robinson says teachers, governors and unions need to get round the table and find real solutions, not argue about testing for 13-year-olds. Plus letters from Simon Gibbs, Helen…
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 10:30 AM
More reading tests won’t help children improve their literacy – here’s what will [spoiler alert, these letters include libraries & librarians as key to reading] Letters | The Guardian
Reposted by Stewart Parsons
After a phenomenally successful two shows with Rianne Downey, Get it Loud in Libraries returns to Central Library on 9th Nov for a matinee gig with @albertinesarges.bsky.social
More info in alt text. www.seetickets.com/event/albert...
More info in alt text. www.seetickets.com/event/albert...
October 24, 2025 at 9:27 AM
After a phenomenally successful two shows with Rianne Downey, Get it Loud in Libraries returns to Central Library on 9th Nov for a matinee gig with @albertinesarges.bsky.social
More info in alt text. www.seetickets.com/event/albert...
More info in alt text. www.seetickets.com/event/albert...
It is a pleasure to sing with the Solway Bouys and revive these great, albeit a wee bit salty, sea shanties of yore. In seafaring days you would sing of ladies and brandy to maintain good vibes aboard ship. Now you probably just invest in decent WiFi...
The first year anniversary of Swally 'n' Scran being open in Kirkcudbright. To mark it they had a memorable musical evening with the voices and harmonies of the fabulous Solway Buoys who in their set of sea shanties included a special song to commemorate the fabulous fish restaurant.
November 9, 2025 at 9:48 AM
It is a pleasure to sing with the Solway Bouys and revive these great, albeit a wee bit salty, sea shanties of yore. In seafaring days you would sing of ladies and brandy to maintain good vibes aboard ship. Now you probably just invest in decent WiFi...
Reposted by Stewart Parsons
Mayor Elect Zohran Mamdani is STILL out chatting it up with the people. He was trying to do content but the voters kept popping up.🥹
November 8, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Mayor Elect Zohran Mamdani is STILL out chatting it up with the people. He was trying to do content but the voters kept popping up.🥹
Looks for all the world like a Cold War Steve.
The Sociopath-In-Chief couldn't be bothered to even turn his head in the direction of a man in the midst of a medical emergency who collapsed in his office. Completely incapable of empathy, the EPSTEIN Files can't be released soon enough.
25/47
25/47
November 8, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Looks for all the world like a Cold War Steve.
This is so true. Two generous double whiskies is now my nightly optimum. More than that and the next morning is spent bemoaning to anyone that will listen that 'my thumbs feel weird' and other such wailing 'Withnail-isms.' Be warned.
Drink all the whisky you want before turning 50. The body tends to rebel after that and one can only enjoy much smaller quantities. Follow me for more life tips!
November 8, 2025 at 12:09 PM
This is so true. Two generous double whiskies is now my nightly optimum. More than that and the next morning is spent bemoaning to anyone that will listen that 'my thumbs feel weird' and other such wailing 'Withnail-isms.' Be warned.
The hollow, callous skin and bones of Trump, captured in one photo. This post is a beaut, unlike its desperately ugly subject.
here's today's post: "what the fuck is wrong with this guy?" — Donny can't even pretend to care about helping.
thanks for reading, and please sign up for my daily newsletter so you never miss a post —
thanks for reading, and please sign up for my daily newsletter so you never miss a post —
what the fuck is wrong with this guy?
Donny can't even pretend to care about helping
bit.ly
November 7, 2025 at 5:37 PM
The hollow, callous skin and bones of Trump, captured in one photo. This post is a beaut, unlike its desperately ugly subject.
Reposted by Stewart Parsons
Are they finally catching on to his eternal grifting and gaslighting?
November 7, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Are they finally catching on to his eternal grifting and gaslighting?
This is an enjoyable essay from @iandunt.bsky.social on what makes 'Mamdani a social media triumph of simply unprecedented quality' contrasting comically against Labour's comms machine that prefers to come churning & creaking in from the Dickensian age. A hopeful, smiley week indeed.
This feeling is called hope: Three lessons from a week of progressive victories iandunt.substack.com/p/this-feeli...
November 7, 2025 at 3:44 PM
This is an enjoyable essay from @iandunt.bsky.social on what makes 'Mamdani a social media triumph of simply unprecedented quality' contrasting comically against Labour's comms machine that prefers to come churning & creaking in from the Dickensian age. A hopeful, smiley week indeed.
I'm not even mad keen on cats, but here we are...
Growing concerned that Boo Boo might be the world's most photogenic kitten.
November 7, 2025 at 2:30 PM
I'm not even mad keen on cats, but here we are...
Probably the most compulsive 'destination TV' since 'Line Of Duty'? And a worthy winner. Terribly human rather than a terrible human, I would say. #CelebrityTraitors
November 7, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Probably the most compulsive 'destination TV' since 'Line Of Duty'? And a worthy winner. Terribly human rather than a terrible human, I would say. #CelebrityTraitors
Reposted by Stewart Parsons
School pupils are to be taught how to tackle conspiracy theories, spot 'fake news' & root out misinformation. The Daily Mail, ajudged by Wikipedia to be an unreliable new source, is furious. You don't have to be Sherlock Holmes to work out why.
November 5, 2025 at 9:05 AM
School pupils are to be taught how to tackle conspiracy theories, spot 'fake news' & root out misinformation. The Daily Mail, ajudged by Wikipedia to be an unreliable new source, is furious. You don't have to be Sherlock Holmes to work out why.
Reposted by Stewart Parsons
The brilliant Scottish Book Trust's Xmas campaign. Donate here:
www.scottishbooktrust.com
www.scottishbooktrust.com
Scottish Book Trust
We are a national charity bringing the benefits of reading and writing to everyone in Scotland.
www.scottishbooktrust.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:35 AM
The brilliant Scottish Book Trust's Xmas campaign. Donate here:
www.scottishbooktrust.com
www.scottishbooktrust.com
'Reform’s cabinet member for social care in Lancashire, who owns a private care company with his wife...'
Nothing to see here. Just 'enhancing resident experience.'
Nothing to see here. Just 'enhancing resident experience.'
Reform UK's 'brilliant' cost-saving strategy? Closing care homes.
One Reform voter says it best: “If there are parents who have paid into the system all their lives, worked hard for this country, if they’re ‘waste’, then we might as well just give up.”
https://bit.ly/4oTaHTI
One Reform voter says it best: “If there are parents who have paid into the system all their lives, worked hard for this country, if they’re ‘waste’, then we might as well just give up.”
https://bit.ly/4oTaHTI
Lancashire's Reform-run council plans to close care homes and day centres
Questions about potential conflict of interest as council's cabinet member for social care owns private care company
www.theguardian.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:25 AM
'Reform’s cabinet member for social care in Lancashire, who owns a private care company with his wife...'
Nothing to see here. Just 'enhancing resident experience.'
Nothing to see here. Just 'enhancing resident experience.'
A library story to gladden the heart.
A smuggled book changed his life. Now he’s built 500 prison libraries.
Reginald Dwayne Betts was locked up as a teenager for carjacking. Books were his escape, and he went on to be a poet, lawyer and founder of Freedom Reads.
www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/20...
Reginald Dwayne Betts was locked up as a teenager for carjacking. Books were his escape, and he went on to be a poet, lawyer and founder of Freedom Reads.
www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/20...
A smuggled book changed his life. Now he’s built 500 prison libraries.
Reginald Dwayne Betts was locked up as a teenager for carjacking. Books were his escape, and he went on to be a poet, lawyer and founder of Freedom Reads.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:05 AM
A library story to gladden the heart.
Reposted by Stewart Parsons
X is designed to radicalise people.
The algorithm promotes Elon Musk's agenda to promote racists and people who want violence bought - specifically - to the streets of Britain.
Members of Parliament, major institutions and the media should not be there.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
The algorithm promotes Elon Musk's agenda to promote racists and people who want violence bought - specifically - to the streets of Britain.
Members of Parliament, major institutions and the media should not be there.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
news.sky.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:53 AM
X is designed to radicalise people.
The algorithm promotes Elon Musk's agenda to promote racists and people who want violence bought - specifically - to the streets of Britain.
Members of Parliament, major institutions and the media should not be there.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
The algorithm promotes Elon Musk's agenda to promote racists and people who want violence bought - specifically - to the streets of Britain.
Members of Parliament, major institutions and the media should not be there.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...