Graeme Beale
@midfyffe.bsky.social
470 followers 700 following 420 posts
Works in @RESAS in the Scottish Government. Head of the Strategic Research Programme - Rural/Environment. Quaker. Writer of sub-par cat poems and other things.
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midfyffe.bsky.social
Reposting for the #Quakers on my follows. John Woolman a very weighty find friend indeed.
ancestralenq.bsky.social
Tucked away off Cromwell Road, Bishophill, York in an oasis of tranquility is this gem of a Quaker cemetery that opened in 1667 & was closed for burials in 1854. Most of the graves are the same size reflecting the Quaker belief of equality of human beings in life & death. Dates on the gravestones /1
midfyffe.bsky.social
Making me think about Babylonian astronomers in 1400BCE filling out their required Expected Grant Impact form.

“More accurate observational records will of course improve our predictions both for understanding heavenly Marduk’s moods and the for the earthly astrological fraternity.”
astroroyalscot.bsky.social
First supermoon of the year! Already one media question about why the full moon impacts our emotions🤷‍♀️ Luckily I've done my research👇
astroroyalscot.bsky.social
Most asked 🔵supermoon media Q: Why does a full moon make people crazy? Does it?🤔

Taking my🔭👸role seriously I researched! From the Sagan founded Centre for Inquiry "no causal relationship between lunar phenomena and human behaviour.. slanted media reporting"

ℹ️ skepticalinquirer.org/1986/01/the-...
midfyffe.bsky.social
I was snapped last week playing levitating policy ball. It’s surprisingly popular game.

I think this was the point where I was letting folks in on the secret that none of us actually believe in #policy #cycles.

ENRA conference at Dynamic Earth In Edinburgh.
Me and the policy cycle
midfyffe.bsky.social
It’s world #Quaker day. As central Fife meeting is shared between Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline we have a slightly different feel when we’re borrowing the Scout hut here in Dunfermline. Slightly different feel to the Old Kirk up the road.
Inside Dunfermline meeting in the scout hut Meeting hall sign Badges
midfyffe.bsky.social
Morag #cat trying to persuade me of desperate need for second breakfast.
Morag cat in the sunlight
midfyffe.bsky.social
Washing machine died this morning. So it looks like a weekend of appliance shopping. 😔

Genuine question though- I’m seeing a lot of Wi-Fi enabled washing machines. Who wants that, and who buys them?

Does google now need my spin cycle data?
midfyffe.bsky.social
I can't believe there's anyone who doesn't already follow @jayhulmepoet.bsky.social but QTing in case.
jayhulmepoet.bsky.social
"Robert went mad in the way of saints;
beautiful and holy and wild as anything.
He grew into the cave, hands scratching
at the earth; for weeks he watched the river."
The Madness of St Robert of Knaresborough By Jay Hulme - from The Vanishing Song'
Robert went mad in the way of saints; beautiful and holy and wild as anything. He grew into the cave, hands scratching at the earth; for weeks he watched the river. When knights and kings came with riches he told them things they never wanted to hear. Centuries later he still speaks to strangers, pilgrims to a past they cannot comprehend. If they listen, Robert offers them madness in whichever form they choose. One man chose murder. Buried the body in the cave. A sacrifice, perhaps. An atrocity instead of a prayer. More choose to go mad like him. A consecrated insanity. A heart crawling among the trees, fingers splayed across the stone, grafting themselves into the rock. They call out to God in rushing words - they sound like the echoing water, as it carves away at the cliff.
midfyffe.bsky.social
Early start today to catch the bus for a day of meetings before the JHI #Macaulay lecture by Prof Kate Raworth on #doughnut economics.

Not sure what we’ll learn, but I’m hoping the canteen has doughnuts to get me going for the day.
midfyffe.bsky.social
Just submitted my third #pothole report to the council. Not entirely sure I got the what three words location perfectly right, but pretty sure there will be a pothole wherever at this point.

#middleage life goals.
midfyffe.bsky.social
Is there anything better than being in the bus 🚌 lane when it’s nose-to-tail for the folks stuck in 🚗. Like there’s a sneaky trick you’ve pulled off.

Almost as good as hearing the traffic report for a jam that’s hundreds of miles away.
midfyffe.bsky.social
I
Saw a
Professor
Was saddened
by Bluesky #poetry.
If only they had learned
The art of the
“mute word”
Button.

GB 30th September 2025
midfyffe.bsky.social
Monday night #baking. Financiers recipe, but not in ingot shape as I don’t have that mini pan.
Almond baked tarts stacked Almond baked tarts in case Baking cases
midfyffe.bsky.social
Yes exactly, greaseproof on the bottom and then the standard tea towel trick on the lid
Reposted by Graeme Beale
foundationsofthedigitalstate.com
that Persian burned rice with grese prpof paper so it doesnt stick?
midfyffe.bsky.social
I firmly believe nostalgia is really a dream of like now but with remaining knee cartilage.
midfyffe.bsky.social
Eggs and rice with tadigh. Very pleased.
Egg curry and rice
midfyffe.bsky.social
Oh yes, it's in more or less constant use by community groups, theatre group, orchestra etc. The only issue we have is occasionally we have to tidy up quickly to let the symphony folks in. Couldn't face the stress of looking after the building infrastructure, medieval tower etc.!
midfyffe.bsky.social
The Old Kirk Trust are great. There's no way we could afford to keep the building if it was just us as a friends meeting house. www.kirkcaldyoldkirktrust.org.uk/Index.asp?Ma...

Plus I like the the paintings of the old disapproving ministers on the walls. Pretty sure their disapproval extends to us.
Kirkcaldy Old Kirk Trust
Kirkcaldy's historic oldest church, Kirkcaldy Old Kirk, was bought by Kirkcaldy Old Kirk Trust in 2011 to preserve it for community use as a venue for events, weddings and concerts. The history of th...
www.kirkcaldyoldkirktrust.org.uk
midfyffe.bsky.social
Yes, we rent from the Old Kirk Trust. The Kirk moved out and the building was deconsecrated and taken over by a charity.

We must be #Quaker meeting with one of the oldest sites, as it has parts going back to the 1200s. On a site from era of early celtic saints (C6th) www.kirkcaldyoldkirk.org.uk
Kirkcaldy Old Kirk
www.kirkcaldyoldkirk.org.uk
midfyffe.bsky.social
We've got a new sign, and a new candle at #quakers today. Big news. Anyway I was in unusually early so got a nice autumnal low-sun picture of a couple of the less exciting stain glass windows.
midfyffe.bsky.social
Just watched the women’s rugby World Cup final. I’ve enjoyed this tournament so much. Sad for Canada, but this is the future of the sport I think.
midfyffe.bsky.social
I’m hoping for a new version with even more prominence for Sting and Kyle Mclachlan. #dune

(Out at Leven sands beach)
Sign saying dune restoration in progress.
midfyffe.bsky.social
Since it’s #Quaker week, sharing this from Facebook.
Is your child texting about Quakerism.
midfyffe.bsky.social
The outrage of a #cat who can see BIRDS in HER GARDEN.

(But is far too slow and old to do anything about it)
Morag cat on the windowsill