Matt Nicholas
@mattnic.bsky.social
#Archaeologist. European. Likes music, non-ferrous metallurgy & left(ish) politics. Personal account not associated with anywhere you think I might work. Also interested in #running, #cycling & #ActiveTravel
Another round of horrific university cuts. Sign to stop the suspension of undergraduate music courses at The University of Nottingham chng.it/cT77GCTg
Sign the Petition
Stop the suspension of undergraduate music courses at The University of Nottingham
chng.it
November 11, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Another round of horrific university cuts. Sign to stop the suspension of undergraduate music courses at The University of Nottingham chng.it/cT77GCTg
Reposted by Matt Nicholas
I do not understand the Labour government's reticence over defending the BBC and social media regulation. Their long-term survival basically depends on it. Their cowardice in the face of it may be the single thing they are most remembered for.
on.ft.com/3JVxC1Z via @FT
on.ft.com/3JVxC1Z via @FT
BBC faces ‘existential’ threat after exit of top executives
Broadcaster’s deepest crisis in recent history comes amid fresh questions over its future role in British society
on.ft.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:35 AM
I do not understand the Labour government's reticence over defending the BBC and social media regulation. Their long-term survival basically depends on it. Their cowardice in the face of it may be the single thing they are most remembered for.
on.ft.com/3JVxC1Z via @FT
on.ft.com/3JVxC1Z via @FT
Any home owner ripping out a garden hedge for crappy fencing should be forced to be replace it with a solar fence (but the owner should never see any profit as punishment for destroying said hedge)
Solar’s price drop is astonishing: panels are now 98% cheaper than when I first analyzed them in 2004.
Today, building a fence with solar can be cheaper than using wood.
Today, building a fence with solar can be cheaper than using wood.
November 10, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Any home owner ripping out a garden hedge for crappy fencing should be forced to be replace it with a solar fence (but the owner should never see any profit as punishment for destroying said hedge)
Reposted by Matt Nicholas
It’s not at all clear to me how the BBC can do any kind of serious journalism if its top two bosses can be forced to quit over such an obviously confected scandal. There is no substantive error here. How can the BBC report on Trump, or Farage, or anyone else, in these circumstances?
November 9, 2025 at 7:30 PM
It’s not at all clear to me how the BBC can do any kind of serious journalism if its top two bosses can be forced to quit over such an obviously confected scandal. There is no substantive error here. How can the BBC report on Trump, or Farage, or anyone else, in these circumstances?
Reposted by Matt Nicholas
Donald Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives for inciting an insurrection. Why is the Director General of the BBC resigning?
November 9, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Donald Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives for inciting an insurrection. Why is the Director General of the BBC resigning?
The government seems to really hate the cities of the East Mids
Govt scraps all electrification investment. Midland Main Line to stay forever diesel Leicester Nottingham Derby Sheffield. Hugely embarrassing and inexplicable
www.ft.com/content/5ecd...
www.ft.com/content/5ecd...
UK transport secretary says full electrification of railways ‘not affordable right now’
Heidi Alexander says focus will be on other projects such as HS2
www.ft.com
November 9, 2025 at 8:21 AM
The government seems to really hate the cities of the East Mids
Reposted by Matt Nicholas
Until I die, I will never understand why so many motorists think that “having a car” should give you special protections from doing crimes.
Year one: "We can work it out as an estimate"
Year two: "Oh, look, lots of people are dodging the system!"
Year three: "We need to fit mandatory trackers to every car in the country."
Year four plus: "Why shouldn't tracker data be used in evidence? What have people got to hide?"
Year two: "Oh, look, lots of people are dodging the system!"
Year three: "We need to fit mandatory trackers to every car in the country."
Year four plus: "Why shouldn't tracker data be used in evidence? What have people got to hide?"
I don’t think think “estimated road use” is right approach - at the least drivers should have the *option* of getting a black box fitted that just tracks their EVs usage, but come on, Mel, impersonate a serious politician!
November 6, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Until I die, I will never understand why so many motorists think that “having a car” should give you special protections from doing crimes.
Reposted by Matt Nicholas
So happy to see this article out!
www.tandfonline.com/eprint/TYFU3...
In this ethnography of the relationship between archaeologists and construction, we explore how both disciplines communicate, and how concepts such as risk, incommensurability, uncertainty and translation..
www.tandfonline.com/eprint/TYFU3...
In this ethnography of the relationship between archaeologists and construction, we explore how both disciplines communicate, and how concepts such as risk, incommensurability, uncertainty and translation..
www.tandfonline.com
October 29, 2025 at 9:08 AM
So happy to see this article out!
www.tandfonline.com/eprint/TYFU3...
In this ethnography of the relationship between archaeologists and construction, we explore how both disciplines communicate, and how concepts such as risk, incommensurability, uncertainty and translation..
www.tandfonline.com/eprint/TYFU3...
In this ethnography of the relationship between archaeologists and construction, we explore how both disciplines communicate, and how concepts such as risk, incommensurability, uncertainty and translation..
Reposted by Matt Nicholas
It’s impossible to avoid the conclusion that large parts of Westminster remaining on X - a platform that tolerates and amplifies extremism and racism - has led a great many people to normalise what previously was unacceptable.
October 28, 2025 at 7:50 AM
It’s impossible to avoid the conclusion that large parts of Westminster remaining on X - a platform that tolerates and amplifies extremism and racism - has led a great many people to normalise what previously was unacceptable.
Oof, Marathon Eryri was tough today with *all* the weather late October has to offer on display. Amazing experience though, and such lovely support along the route.
October 25, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Oof, Marathon Eryri was tough today with *all* the weather late October has to offer on display. Amazing experience though, and such lovely support along the route.
Reposted by Matt Nicholas
can't believe we got to the stage of human history where we've just placidly and collectively decided to stop learning stuff
Today's word for UK HE is "dégringolade".
Say it with me, "dé-grin-go-lade".
Say it with me, "dé-grin-go-lade".
October 21, 2025 at 7:56 AM
can't believe we got to the stage of human history where we've just placidly and collectively decided to stop learning stuff
This takes me back to early in my career, when I worked for an archaeological contractor who decided to try jet-washing finds—including oyster shells—to speed things up. It went about as well as you’d expect.
There was a lot of washing up to do before my girlfriend got home. So I had the genius idea to put it all in the garden, smother them with soap and spray them down with the jet hose. While the cutlery survived, I did end up having to buy new plates, bowls, glasses, & mugs. Oops.
October 19, 2025 at 11:37 AM
This takes me back to early in my career, when I worked for an archaeological contractor who decided to try jet-washing finds—including oyster shells—to speed things up. It went about as well as you’d expect.
Claire Ward is a bit useless. She ran—and now rules—as if she can’t stand the main cities in the area she leads, but you just know she’ll expect our votes when election time comes back around.
www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-n...
www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-n...
Residents of North Notts like me fed up of Notts-Derby tram news, says Mayor
Claire Ward said the media is "obsessed" with the idea
www.nottinghampost.com
October 17, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Claire Ward is a bit useless. She ran—and now rules—as if she can’t stand the main cities in the area she leads, but you just know she’ll expect our votes when election time comes back around.
www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-n...
www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-n...
Reposted by Matt Nicholas
The green cross code is the most disastrous public information campaign in history. It has made generations believe that pedestrians are responsible for avoiding crashes. Crashes are actually the responsibility of the operators of the massive motorised lumps of metal.
October 6, 2025 at 1:55 PM
The green cross code is the most disastrous public information campaign in history. It has made generations believe that pedestrians are responsible for avoiding crashes. Crashes are actually the responsibility of the operators of the massive motorised lumps of metal.
Would something like this have happened if the archaeology gallery hadn't been evicted from the National Museum Cardiff site ten years ago?
Awful news! Following the theft of the Ely Bronze Age torc & a Bronze Age bracelet in 2024,now more Bronze Age gold has been stolen from St Fagans Museum in Cardiff. 😔
#Archaeology 🏺 #Gold #Torcs
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
#Archaeology 🏺 #Gold #Torcs
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Bronze age gold jewellery stolen in raid on St Fagans museum in Cardiff
South Wales police issue public appeal for information after burglary at one of Wales’s most beloved museums
www.theguardian.com
October 6, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Would something like this have happened if the archaeology gallery hadn't been evicted from the National Museum Cardiff site ten years ago?
There’s loads of British food discourse on here about how bad the cuisine is, but it's all led by people who’ve never been to Nottingham's Goose Fair for mushy peas and a cock on a stick. Their loss.
October 5, 2025 at 6:10 PM
There’s loads of British food discourse on here about how bad the cuisine is, but it's all led by people who’ve never been to Nottingham's Goose Fair for mushy peas and a cock on a stick. Their loss.
Reposted by Matt Nicholas
Think this is absolutely true - so much is written about boys and Andrew Tate - Tate is more popular with grown men than boys!
We worry about Very Online Kids much more than their Very Online Parents, and I'm not sure that's wise
September 27, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Think this is absolutely true - so much is written about boys and Andrew Tate - Tate is more popular with grown men than boys!
Reposted by Matt Nicholas
A new exhibition has just opened at Northampton's museum, showcasing a hundred objects from Northamptonshire chosen by 51 guest curators. Some amazing objects and well- worth seeing
www.northamptonmuseums.com/homepage/73/...
www.northamptonmuseums.com/homepage/73/...
September 20, 2025 at 3:43 PM
A new exhibition has just opened at Northampton's museum, showcasing a hundred objects from Northamptonshire chosen by 51 guest curators. Some amazing objects and well- worth seeing
www.northamptonmuseums.com/homepage/73/...
www.northamptonmuseums.com/homepage/73/...
Reposted by Matt Nicholas
Take a breath. Look behind the hostile headlines. What this government is on the verge of doing is to expand this one-in-one-out deal into, essentially, a safe and legal route from France. It is - and has always been - the only solution to dangerous crossings and what has been needed for years.
September 19, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Take a breath. Look behind the hostile headlines. What this government is on the verge of doing is to expand this one-in-one-out deal into, essentially, a safe and legal route from France. It is - and has always been - the only solution to dangerous crossings and what has been needed for years.
Had brilliant fun helping out on the Green Runners stall last weekend. Great conversations and amazing food from the surrounding stalls.
Thank you to everyone who popped by to talk all things green running at the Nottingham Green Festival @nottmgreenfest.bsky.social
Big shout out to our volunteers Su & @superkev (who between them did a lot of the prep), Aimee @pictishprincess.bsky.social (💚 her shoe repair), Matt J, Matt N & Jon.
Big shout out to our volunteers Su & @superkev (who between them did a lot of the prep), Aimee @pictishprincess.bsky.social (💚 her shoe repair), Matt J, Matt N & Jon.
September 19, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Had brilliant fun helping out on the Green Runners stall last weekend. Great conversations and amazing food from the surrounding stalls.
We need to ask serious questions about public bodies that still use X/Twitter. Their continued presence on the platform—already difficult to justify—now appears indefensible.
The common sense meaning should make this Elon Musk's "rivers of blood" moment
Though I think he goes further than Enoch Powell in a couple of important ways
Though I think he goes further than Enoch Powell in a couple of important ways
Elon Musk spoke by video to Tommy Robinson's anti-immigrant rally in the UK today.
"You're in a fundamental situation here where, whether you choose violence or not, violence is coming to you," said Musk. "You either fight back or you die."
"You're in a fundamental situation here where, whether you choose violence or not, violence is coming to you," said Musk. "You either fight back or you die."
September 14, 2025 at 8:21 AM
We need to ask serious questions about public bodies that still use X/Twitter. Their continued presence on the platform—already difficult to justify—now appears indefensible.
Reposted by Matt Nicholas
Keep thinking of arguments for why it would be completely insane to dump a prime minister with a huge majority just 14 months in, and also about how if he's not going to say a single word in opposition to the kind of shit we saw today then I no longer feel convinced by any of those arguments.
September 13, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Keep thinking of arguments for why it would be completely insane to dump a prime minister with a huge majority just 14 months in, and also about how if he's not going to say a single word in opposition to the kind of shit we saw today then I no longer feel convinced by any of those arguments.
Reposted by Matt Nicholas
It's absolutely craven that we allow foreign fascist agitators into this country in the first place. Obv we have our home-grown ranks that are bad enough but allowing Bannon, Mannarino etc to pollute this country with their psychopathic bullshit is a joke. Get them out and keep them out.
September 13, 2025 at 6:39 PM
It's absolutely craven that we allow foreign fascist agitators into this country in the first place. Obv we have our home-grown ranks that are bad enough but allowing Bannon, Mannarino etc to pollute this country with their psychopathic bullshit is a joke. Get them out and keep them out.
Reposted by Matt Nicholas
Say hello at the Nottingham Green Festival
Tomorrow, we will be at the Nottingham Green Festival from 12pm to 6pm.
We’ll be ready to chat, share ideas, & help you take action across our Four Pillars.
At 3pm join our 5k social run.
We'd love to see you at our stand!
nottmgreenfest.org.uk
Tomorrow, we will be at the Nottingham Green Festival from 12pm to 6pm.
We’ll be ready to chat, share ideas, & help you take action across our Four Pillars.
At 3pm join our 5k social run.
We'd love to see you at our stand!
nottmgreenfest.org.uk
Welcome .Nottingham Green Festival Nottingham Green Festival
The Green Festival is organised by community volunteers. The ethical standards & sustainability / human / animal rights ethos of the event are long established
nottmgreenfest.org.uk
September 13, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Say hello at the Nottingham Green Festival
Tomorrow, we will be at the Nottingham Green Festival from 12pm to 6pm.
We’ll be ready to chat, share ideas, & help you take action across our Four Pillars.
At 3pm join our 5k social run.
We'd love to see you at our stand!
nottmgreenfest.org.uk
Tomorrow, we will be at the Nottingham Green Festival from 12pm to 6pm.
We’ll be ready to chat, share ideas, & help you take action across our Four Pillars.
At 3pm join our 5k social run.
We'd love to see you at our stand!
nottmgreenfest.org.uk