Lucy Whitfield
@lucywhitfield.bsky.social
Social and public historian (esp. ordinary extraordinary women, buildings, food & daily life) and author, based in Wiltshire. Founder of @womenwhomademe Also musician, mother, pro-genealogist, folk music nut and perpetual volunteer. Totally freelance.
Oh dear.
This is imagery I didn't really want in my head.
This is imagery I didn't really want in my head.
September 4, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Oh dear.
This is imagery I didn't really want in my head.
This is imagery I didn't really want in my head.
So, this week - in the peace and quiet while the rest of my household are on an epic post-A-levels trip across Europe - I managed to finish the first draft of my second book. This will be called Extraordinary Ordinary Women of South Wiltshire.
July 11, 2025 at 4:27 PM
So, this week - in the peace and quiet while the rest of my household are on an epic post-A-levels trip across Europe - I managed to finish the first draft of my second book. This will be called Extraordinary Ordinary Women of South Wiltshire.
Five weeks post surgery tomorrow, & tonight is the first night I haven't wilted like a flower and gone to bed before 10pm.
Let's see how I feel in the morning...
Let's see how I feel in the morning...
April 2, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Five weeks post surgery tomorrow, & tonight is the first night I haven't wilted like a flower and gone to bed before 10pm.
Let's see how I feel in the morning...
Let's see how I feel in the morning...
Reposted by Lucy Whitfield
The Vagina Museum is just one month away from closing. Forever. A perfect storm of circumstances means that we may have to close our doors permanently and cease all digital activities. But we're not going to go down without a fight. Save the Vagina Museum. www.gofundme.com/f/btscc2
Donate to Save The Vagina Museum, organized by Vagina Museum
The Vagina Museum is one month away from closing – forever
The Vagina Museum will be forced t… Vagina Museum needs your support for Save The Vagina Museum
www.gofundme.com
March 14, 2025 at 11:00 AM
The Vagina Museum is just one month away from closing. Forever. A perfect storm of circumstances means that we may have to close our doors permanently and cease all digital activities. But we're not going to go down without a fight. Save the Vagina Museum. www.gofundme.com/f/btscc2
"BARNAGOO!"
Back in the days when newspapers had street sellers, they'd stand on their pitch and yell the newspaper names out to the public.
In Cardiff, that was "Western Mail and Echo". It was a common shout when I was a student in the 1990s.
But the words often mutated with regularity.
Back in the days when newspapers had street sellers, they'd stand on their pitch and yell the newspaper names out to the public.
In Cardiff, that was "Western Mail and Echo". It was a common shout when I was a student in the 1990s.
But the words often mutated with regularity.
March 11, 2025 at 1:18 PM
"BARNAGOO!"
Back in the days when newspapers had street sellers, they'd stand on their pitch and yell the newspaper names out to the public.
In Cardiff, that was "Western Mail and Echo". It was a common shout when I was a student in the 1990s.
But the words often mutated with regularity.
Back in the days when newspapers had street sellers, they'd stand on their pitch and yell the newspaper names out to the public.
In Cardiff, that was "Western Mail and Echo". It was a common shout when I was a student in the 1990s.
But the words often mutated with regularity.
Reposted by Lucy Whitfield
In the 1790s a London woman named Eliza Denyer developed a modest reputation as a restorer of medieval manuscripts. She was forgotten by scholars and, in one case, her restorations were deliberately replaced by a man’s. I recovered her story & tracked all her known work here: tinyurl.com/2ktztx2e
March 9, 2025 at 1:00 PM
In the 1790s a London woman named Eliza Denyer developed a modest reputation as a restorer of medieval manuscripts. She was forgotten by scholars and, in one case, her restorations were deliberately replaced by a man’s. I recovered her story & tracked all her known work here: tinyurl.com/2ktztx2e
Reposted by Lucy Whitfield
Happy Int. Women’s Day!
Maud Heath’s story was forgotten for 100s of years by the trustees of the charity she established in 1474. Instead they celebrated what they assumed she had been (e.g. an egg seller) rather than a women who facilitated regional trade!
www.wiltshirehistory.org/news/the-rea...
Maud Heath’s story was forgotten for 100s of years by the trustees of the charity she established in 1474. Instead they celebrated what they assumed she had been (e.g. an egg seller) rather than a women who facilitated regional trade!
www.wiltshirehistory.org/news/the-rea...
The Real Maud Heath — Wiltshire Victoria County History
Maud Heath has been many things to many people. A spinster or a widow, an egg seller, peasant trader, a farmer’s wife or wealthy widow, from Langley Burrell, from Bremhill, or from Tytherton Kellaways...
www.wiltshirehistory.org
March 8, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Happy Int. Women’s Day!
Maud Heath’s story was forgotten for 100s of years by the trustees of the charity she established in 1474. Instead they celebrated what they assumed she had been (e.g. an egg seller) rather than a women who facilitated regional trade!
www.wiltshirehistory.org/news/the-rea...
Maud Heath’s story was forgotten for 100s of years by the trustees of the charity she established in 1474. Instead they celebrated what they assumed she had been (e.g. an egg seller) rather than a women who facilitated regional trade!
www.wiltshirehistory.org/news/the-rea...
One week post op.
Incredible bruise from the cannula still. My veins are so shit.
Still not quite ready to rejoin the world, but getting there.
Incredible bruise from the cannula still. My veins are so shit.
Still not quite ready to rejoin the world, but getting there.
March 6, 2025 at 2:23 PM
One week post op.
Incredible bruise from the cannula still. My veins are so shit.
Still not quite ready to rejoin the world, but getting there.
Incredible bruise from the cannula still. My veins are so shit.
Still not quite ready to rejoin the world, but getting there.
Reposted by Lucy Whitfield
I have a solo gig in Sheffield this Sunday, co-headlining with trad singer Jill Pidd. It’s a new venture and we want to get the word out, can you help by sharing? Thankyou!
wegottickets.com/event/649011
wegottickets.com/event/649011
March 6, 2025 at 11:11 AM
I have a solo gig in Sheffield this Sunday, co-headlining with trad singer Jill Pidd. It’s a new venture and we want to get the word out, can you help by sharing? Thankyou!
wegottickets.com/event/649011
wegottickets.com/event/649011
Day 3 post op.
Lucy: 1; Epigastric hernia: 0
Far less background pain means I am feeling brighter & shuffling around a bit more.
And can also cuddle my daughter, which pleases her greatly.
Lucy: 1; Epigastric hernia: 0
Far less background pain means I am feeling brighter & shuffling around a bit more.
And can also cuddle my daughter, which pleases her greatly.
March 2, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Day 3 post op.
Lucy: 1; Epigastric hernia: 0
Far less background pain means I am feeling brighter & shuffling around a bit more.
And can also cuddle my daughter, which pleases her greatly.
Lucy: 1; Epigastric hernia: 0
Far less background pain means I am feeling brighter & shuffling around a bit more.
And can also cuddle my daughter, which pleases her greatly.
Reposted by Lucy Whitfield
New book announcement!
Women Artists & Designers at the National Trust
by Rachel Conroy with an introduction by Sandi Toksvig
shop.nationaltrust.org.uk/women-artist...
Spanning six centuries, this book looks at some of the many women artists and designers represented in its vast collections.
Women Artists & Designers at the National Trust
by Rachel Conroy with an introduction by Sandi Toksvig
shop.nationaltrust.org.uk/women-artist...
Spanning six centuries, this book looks at some of the many women artists and designers represented in its vast collections.
February 19, 2025 at 1:48 AM
New book announcement!
Women Artists & Designers at the National Trust
by Rachel Conroy with an introduction by Sandi Toksvig
shop.nationaltrust.org.uk/women-artist...
Spanning six centuries, this book looks at some of the many women artists and designers represented in its vast collections.
Women Artists & Designers at the National Trust
by Rachel Conroy with an introduction by Sandi Toksvig
shop.nationaltrust.org.uk/women-artist...
Spanning six centuries, this book looks at some of the many women artists and designers represented in its vast collections.
✨ Document of the week ✨
Hard to believe now, but there was once a time where people didn't know how to make instant coffee in a microwave, and needed a recipe and directions.
This little gem is from the Toshiba Book of Microwave Cooking, published in 1981.
Hard to believe now, but there was once a time where people didn't know how to make instant coffee in a microwave, and needed a recipe and directions.
This little gem is from the Toshiba Book of Microwave Cooking, published in 1981.
February 12, 2025 at 12:33 PM
✨ Document of the week ✨
Hard to believe now, but there was once a time where people didn't know how to make instant coffee in a microwave, and needed a recipe and directions.
This little gem is from the Toshiba Book of Microwave Cooking, published in 1981.
Hard to believe now, but there was once a time where people didn't know how to make instant coffee in a microwave, and needed a recipe and directions.
This little gem is from the Toshiba Book of Microwave Cooking, published in 1981.
If I said the words "direct ancestor" to you in a #familytree context, what would you think I meant?
I've hit upon potential clients not completely understanding the term when I'm talking to them about styles of diagram and focuses of ancestral research.
I've hit upon potential clients not completely understanding the term when I'm talking to them about styles of diagram and focuses of ancestral research.
February 10, 2025 at 2:41 PM
If I said the words "direct ancestor" to you in a #familytree context, what would you think I meant?
I've hit upon potential clients not completely understanding the term when I'm talking to them about styles of diagram and focuses of ancestral research.
I've hit upon potential clients not completely understanding the term when I'm talking to them about styles of diagram and focuses of ancestral research.
Until 1944 there was a #marriagebar on women teachers in the UK.
But in 1923, 58 married teachers from the #Rhondda took their LEA to the court of chancery over unfair dismissal.
Elizabeth Price, of Clydach Vale, led the charge. But who was she?
thewomenwhomademe.wordpress.com/2025/01/31/e...
But in 1923, 58 married teachers from the #Rhondda took their LEA to the court of chancery over unfair dismissal.
Elizabeth Price, of Clydach Vale, led the charge. But who was she?
thewomenwhomademe.wordpress.com/2025/01/31/e...
Elizabeth Price’s story
Is it better to have fought and lost rather than to have never fought at all? And, if you fight and lose but it is still a worthy fight, should your name fall into obscurity, or should you be remem…
thewomenwhomademe.wordpress.com
February 2, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Until 1944 there was a #marriagebar on women teachers in the UK.
But in 1923, 58 married teachers from the #Rhondda took their LEA to the court of chancery over unfair dismissal.
Elizabeth Price, of Clydach Vale, led the charge. But who was she?
thewomenwhomademe.wordpress.com/2025/01/31/e...
But in 1923, 58 married teachers from the #Rhondda took their LEA to the court of chancery over unfair dismissal.
Elizabeth Price, of Clydach Vale, led the charge. But who was she?
thewomenwhomademe.wordpress.com/2025/01/31/e...
Authors, if you see this, it's a sign to post the 1st line of your book.
"I always say that I collect interesting women, both personally and professionally."
"I always say that I collect interesting women, both personally and professionally."
Authors if you see this, it's a sign to post the 1st line of your book.
"It begins where it should have ended, in an alleyway at the rough end of Upper Blackfriars."
"It begins where it should have ended, in an alleyway at the rough end of Upper Blackfriars."
February 1, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Authors, if you see this, it's a sign to post the 1st line of your book.
"I always say that I collect interesting women, both personally and professionally."
"I always say that I collect interesting women, both personally and professionally."
Attempting to create a pizz callus on my index finger to enable better double bass playing (I prefer arco, always).
Probably would help if I hadn't managed to crush the knuckle between the instrument and a heavy door on my way to rehearsal. Ouch.
Probably would help if I hadn't managed to crush the knuckle between the instrument and a heavy door on my way to rehearsal. Ouch.
January 27, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Attempting to create a pizz callus on my index finger to enable better double bass playing (I prefer arco, always).
Probably would help if I hadn't managed to crush the knuckle between the instrument and a heavy door on my way to rehearsal. Ouch.
Probably would help if I hadn't managed to crush the knuckle between the instrument and a heavy door on my way to rehearsal. Ouch.
Free genealogy drop-in session on Friday at Chippenham Library from 4.30.
Even if your ancestry isn't local, I can help, suggest, guide, and natter about social history. Professional of many years standing, love to give back to my community, meet people and talk about ordinary people's history.
Even if your ancestry isn't local, I can help, suggest, guide, and natter about social history. Professional of many years standing, love to give back to my community, meet people and talk about ordinary people's history.
January 27, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Free genealogy drop-in session on Friday at Chippenham Library from 4.30.
Even if your ancestry isn't local, I can help, suggest, guide, and natter about social history. Professional of many years standing, love to give back to my community, meet people and talk about ordinary people's history.
Even if your ancestry isn't local, I can help, suggest, guide, and natter about social history. Professional of many years standing, love to give back to my community, meet people and talk about ordinary people's history.
It's that voice. That smug, grating voice.
It makes me grind my teeth.
I'm going to need an industrial retainer for the next four years.
It makes me grind my teeth.
I'm going to need an industrial retainer for the next four years.
January 20, 2025 at 11:48 AM
It's that voice. That smug, grating voice.
It makes me grind my teeth.
I'm going to need an industrial retainer for the next four years.
It makes me grind my teeth.
I'm going to need an industrial retainer for the next four years.
Daughter was given a new wheat bag hot water bottle for Xmas that was just too cute to ruin in the microwave.
Mum to the rescue: charity shop kids' fleece leggings (£1.49), & wheat from whole foods shop. Job done. One boring & un-cute bed heater.
Mum to the rescue: charity shop kids' fleece leggings (£1.49), & wheat from whole foods shop. Job done. One boring & un-cute bed heater.
January 12, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Daughter was given a new wheat bag hot water bottle for Xmas that was just too cute to ruin in the microwave.
Mum to the rescue: charity shop kids' fleece leggings (£1.49), & wheat from whole foods shop. Job done. One boring & un-cute bed heater.
Mum to the rescue: charity shop kids' fleece leggings (£1.49), & wheat from whole foods shop. Job done. One boring & un-cute bed heater.
Reposted by Lucy Whitfield
In our latest blog, John Chandler with insights from local historians Lucy Whitfield and Chris Dallimore reflects on 'True Happiness' in Chippenham.
www.wiltshirehistory.org/news/true-ha...
www.wiltshirehistory.org/news/true-ha...
TRUE HAPPINESS IN MALMESBURY ROAD — Wiltshire Victoria County History
Although I have driven along Malmesbury Road in Chippenham hundreds of times, it is only when you walk slowly around peering at buildings and looking for datestones and such like that you come across ...
www.wiltshirehistory.org
January 7, 2025 at 7:44 PM
In our latest blog, John Chandler with insights from local historians Lucy Whitfield and Chris Dallimore reflects on 'True Happiness' in Chippenham.
www.wiltshirehistory.org/news/true-ha...
www.wiltshirehistory.org/news/true-ha...
Still ill. Still coughing.
Sofa, crisps & streaming A House Through Time it is.
Sofa, crisps & streaming A House Through Time it is.
December 27, 2024 at 2:45 PM
Still ill. Still coughing.
Sofa, crisps & streaming A House Through Time it is.
Sofa, crisps & streaming A House Through Time it is.
Today's fun has been introducing the 17yo to Keith Harris and Orville.
The words "What" "the" "actual" and "fuck" were uttered.
The words "What" "the" "actual" and "fuck" were uttered.
December 23, 2024 at 8:52 PM
Today's fun has been introducing the 17yo to Keith Harris and Orville.
The words "What" "the" "actual" and "fuck" were uttered.
The words "What" "the" "actual" and "fuck" were uttered.
Loving playing my double bass. But goodness me my fingers hurt.
December 15, 2024 at 7:58 PM
Loving playing my double bass. But goodness me my fingers hurt.
Tried sobolo.
Yum!
Yum!
December 14, 2024 at 8:00 PM
Tried sobolo.
Yum!
Yum!
Today has been brought to you bt the words Grade and Eight.
Totally wrung out, and I wasn't even the one taking it.
Totally wrung out, and I wasn't even the one taking it.
December 9, 2024 at 7:24 PM
Today has been brought to you bt the words Grade and Eight.
Totally wrung out, and I wasn't even the one taking it.
Totally wrung out, and I wasn't even the one taking it.