Michael Hardy
michaelcurates.bsky.social
Michael Hardy
@michaelcurates.bsky.social
I like music and museums | Digital Curator at Barnsley Museums | Museums Computer Group committee member | Barnsley Civic Trust committee member | Recently started writing for the MA journal.
I never thought I would feature Olly Murs in my #MusicalAdvent but then he goes and records a Christmas song with The Ordinary Boys.

open.spotify.com/track/00yqBH...
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
December 7, 2025 at 8:00 PM
What's this? A Futureheads Christmas album! #MusicalAdvent Day 6

I've already played this a lot since it was released, it's an album I didn't know I needed in my life!

open.spotify.com/track/2hAoRj...
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
December 6, 2025 at 4:35 PM
I'm so glad that me getting slightly sidetracked two years ago has now resulted in a new Christmas tradition ♥️

I'm looking forward to hearing more versions of The Barnsley Carol this year. The lyrics and the 'original' recording by @industrialteg.bsky.social are on the Barnsley Museums website
I saw this performed by the amazing Barnsley Youth Choir at their concert last night. Beautiful ⭐️
#ArchiveAdventCalendar We could never have expected when we researching the history of Barnsley town hall in 1933 that it was the start of a new Christmas tradition.

🎶 Arthur Godfrey wrote Christmas Eve in 1933 but was lost for 90 years until we found it in an old copy of The Barnsley Chronicle
December 6, 2025 at 7:40 AM
It's been an absolute pleasure to have been part of the MCG committee over the last three years. I've not felt that amazing lately so couldn't make it to Birmingham for #MuseTech25 but was watching along and laughed out loud at this point!
"Digital Goldilocks" is the BEST term we've heard all year!

Thanks Rachel Coldicutt we're all off to change our job titles this afternoon #MuseTech25
December 6, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Reposted by Michael Hardy
🎄Get into the festive spirit with a trip to Cannon Hall - Open Thurs-Sun until Christmas with lots of events and our 12 Days of Christmas trail✨

Open Door 5 of the #BarnsleyMuseums advent calendar
bit.ly/BMAdventCalendar2025
December 5, 2025 at 8:06 AM
#MusicalAdvent Day 5 - 'Tis the season for new Heathen And The Holy - Old Toboggan open.spotify.com/track/4haF98...
Old Toboggan
open.spotify.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:33 PM
#MusicalAdvent Day 4: Sunturns - New Snow (live)

open.spotify.com/track/2weA0P...
New Snow - Live at Parkteatret
open.spotify.com
December 4, 2025 at 11:02 PM
#MusicalAdvent Day 3: "He's been locked up for sexual offences" Even though I'd already heard Home Counties - Better Last Year (Home Counties For Christmas) live in Sheffield on Monday it still made me laugh out loud! open.spotify.com/track/0ENShB...
Better Last Year (Home Counties for Christmas)
open.spotify.com
December 3, 2025 at 8:28 PM
#MusicalAdvent Day 2: Lottery Winners - Christmas (I won't be alone)

open.spotify.com/track/3qrXko...
December 2, 2025 at 7:51 PM
#MusicalAdvent Day1 Tom A Smith - This Christmas Time

A song that passed me by last year, not to be confused with the other Tom Smith from Editors who I will no doubt be sharing a song by this month!

open.spotify.com/track/27TsIq...
December 1, 2025 at 5:04 PM
November 22, 2025 at 1:13 PM
The Christmas trees are up outside Barnsley town hall so I think it's acceptable to start sharing links to The Barnsley Carol again. Here's the 'original' recording by @industrialteg.bsky.social of the Arthur Godfrey carol that had been lost for 90 years

youtu.be/orlqLBPFnxk?...
Christmas Eve (The Barnsley Carol) - Arthur Godfrey (1933)
YouTube video by Barnsley Museums
youtu.be
November 12, 2025 at 8:32 PM
"The darker nights have come again, quicker than the year before"

I've really got involved in the 20th anniversary of Maximo Park's A Certain Trigger by going to Limassol on my holiday earlier this month.

Currently listening to the album playback with @johnkennedydj.bsky.social on @radiox.co.uk
October 26, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Reposted by Michael Hardy
We have got a a couple of Grimshaw paintings in our collections

🎨 A Carter Passing a Mansion At Dusk
October 26, 2025 at 1:19 PM
If you're looking for a distraction this afternoon have a go at this game (sorry if It leaves you craving pie)

@gamingnews-rt.bsky.social

#YouTube #game #BlueskyGaming
Rope or pie? That is one of the decisions you have to make in our YouTube choose your own adventure game

🎮 youtu.be/-ihEfoklcgE?...

🕒 The perfect way to spend your extra hour today! The Quest For The Eldon Beast, track down the creature and take it back to its home on Eldon Street
October 26, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Reposted by Michael Hardy
October 23, 2025 at 10:12 AM
It's been quite the week 😔 Fatigued by the latest bout of covid I've been trying to come to terms with two people I know dying quite suddenly. I tried to shrug it off as them not being close friends but it still hurts.

spotify.link/LoXn223WHXb
Nothing Lasts Forever
spotify.link
October 23, 2025 at 7:52 PM
I got weirdly emotional watching the Hollyoaks and #Brookside crossover. I suppose it was a reminder of simpler times. Dean Sullivan as Jimmy Corkhill was very much missed
October 22, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Something I've been working on recently 👇
100 years of remembrance: Barnsley's war memorial was unveiled #OnThisDay in 1925

Read about the history of the memorial in our new blog

barnsleymuseums.art.blog/2025/10/11/1...
October 11, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Reposted by Michael Hardy
Not a post we were expecting to make today. RIP Dickie Bird 💔

Arguably one of Barnsley's most famous sons

Harold Dennis "Dickie" Bird MBE OBE you will be missed by many from all over the world.
September 23, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Reposted by Michael Hardy
A poem about Dickie Bird by Ian McMillan which he read out on BBC Radio Sheffield earlier today:

It's the final over
Of the final test
And Time is bowling
The final ball;
And the innings that stretched To 92
Will end just here
'Cos it's umpire's call.
September 23, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Reposted by Michael Hardy
Happy September!

We are excited to announce the programme for our conference this year, 'Seize The Tech' at The ThinkTank in Birmingham on 5 December.

🎟️A small amount of Earlybird tickets are available, visit our website for full details

museumscomputergroup.org.uk/events/mcg-m...
September 1, 2025 at 9:05 AM
I've just waved at my laptop while watching a pre-recorded webinar 😕 how's your day going?
September 3, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Reposted by Michael Hardy
Hello Bluesky! Seen any #MuseumDolls recently? Then get in touch!

Starting this account with Lola from Bankfield House Museum in Halifax.

👀 Mexican Muñeca de Carton Doll named Lola, Made in Celeya
July 22, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Reposted by Michael Hardy
*searches Barnsley Museums*

Good morning Jackie (Weaver) and Dead Eye Dave #MuseumDolls

@barnsleymuseums.bsky.social
July 23, 2025 at 8:21 AM