Norena Shopland
@norenashopland.bsky.social
Writer/historian on LGBTQ+ history in Wales, and Welsh history
Reposted by Norena Shopland
"The more I read about Brenda, the more I felt a connection forming, as though invisible threads were weaving our lives and paths together."
Read Imogen Davies' interview with film photographer Elin Gruffydd on the release of Sweet Melancholy.
www.parthianbooks.com/blogs/news/p...
Read Imogen Davies' interview with film photographer Elin Gruffydd on the release of Sweet Melancholy.
www.parthianbooks.com/blogs/news/p...
Parthian's Advent Calendar - Day Nine
Read Imogen Davies' interview with Elin Gruffydd on the release of Sweet Melancholy.
www.parthianbooks.com
December 9, 2025 at 3:21 PM
"The more I read about Brenda, the more I felt a connection forming, as though invisible threads were weaving our lives and paths together."
Read Imogen Davies' interview with film photographer Elin Gruffydd on the release of Sweet Melancholy.
www.parthianbooks.com/blogs/news/p...
Read Imogen Davies' interview with film photographer Elin Gruffydd on the release of Sweet Melancholy.
www.parthianbooks.com/blogs/news/p...
Reposted by Norena Shopland
I struggle to see any real understanding of Wales in this document. It’s very striking that ‘country’ for Farage is most definitely England, with little knowledge or understanding of Wales ✍️Gwern Gwynfil
Cymru is already great
Gwern Gwynfil I read Reform’s Wales wide mailshot this week. I found it deeply insulting to Wales and the people of Wales. Disappointingly, there wasn’t a single policy statement or clear value…
buff.ly
December 8, 2025 at 9:00 PM
I struggle to see any real understanding of Wales in this document. It’s very striking that ‘country’ for Farage is most definitely England, with little knowledge or understanding of Wales ✍️Gwern Gwynfil
Reposted by Norena Shopland
On Day 8 of our advent calendar, read Peter Finch's introduction to The Literary Business.
Few others in Wales know the book business and how we got here like Finch does. And few others will have been capable of reporting back in such an entertaining fashion.
www.parthianbooks.com/blogs/news/p...
Few others in Wales know the book business and how we got here like Finch does. And few others will have been capable of reporting back in such an entertaining fashion.
www.parthianbooks.com/blogs/news/p...
Parthian's Advent Calendar - Day Eight
Read Peter Finch's introduction to The Literary Business.
www.parthianbooks.com
December 8, 2025 at 11:03 AM
On Day 8 of our advent calendar, read Peter Finch's introduction to The Literary Business.
Few others in Wales know the book business and how we got here like Finch does. And few others will have been capable of reporting back in such an entertaining fashion.
www.parthianbooks.com/blogs/news/p...
Few others in Wales know the book business and how we got here like Finch does. And few others will have been capable of reporting back in such an entertaining fashion.
www.parthianbooks.com/blogs/news/p...
Reposted by Norena Shopland
Launched in style this June, with a canoe trip down the River Avon with fellow writer Tyler Keevil. Boundary Waters is a tragicomic tale of love, loss and redemption.
www.parthianbooks.com/blogs/news/p...
www.parthianbooks.com/blogs/news/p...
Parthian's Advent Calendar - Day Six
"What I didn’t know then was that everything that had led me on my hapless way – the desire to imagine what it had been like back then, the thrill of being in a landscape that had hardly altered since...
www.parthianbooks.com
December 6, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Launched in style this June, with a canoe trip down the River Avon with fellow writer Tyler Keevil. Boundary Waters is a tragicomic tale of love, loss and redemption.
www.parthianbooks.com/blogs/news/p...
www.parthianbooks.com/blogs/news/p...
Books are so easy to wrap as presents!
Republished this summer as the latest title within our Library of Wales series, The Summer Flood 'occupies an important place in the vanguard of queer literature’. @norenashopland.bsky.social
Read the foreword by Mike Parker below.
www.parthianbooks.com/blogs/news/p...
Read the foreword by Mike Parker below.
www.parthianbooks.com/blogs/news/p...
Parthian's Advent Calendar - Day Five
Read Mike Parker's foreword to Gornowy Rees' classical novel The Summer Flood.
www.parthianbooks.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Books are so easy to wrap as presents!
Reposted by Norena Shopland
A record number of women and girls are now participating in football as growth surges across Wales
Historic milestone reached in number of women and girls playing football in Wales
The Football Association of Wales has confirmed that it has achieved a major strategic milestone, surpassing 20,000 registered women’s and girls’ players across the country, marking an extraordinary p...
nation.cymru
December 4, 2025 at 7:01 PM
A record number of women and girls are now participating in football as growth surges across Wales
Reposted by Norena Shopland
#OTD in 1961 the contraceptive pill was introduced on the NHS.
While the pill continues to be debated and at times still attracts controversy, it is important to remember what it offered women: greater control over their own bodies.
blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/just-a-pill-...
#sexualhealth
While the pill continues to be debated and at times still attracts controversy, it is important to remember what it offered women: greater control over their own bodies.
blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/just-a-pill-...
#sexualhealth
UK Government Web Archive
This Page is [ARCHIVED CONTENT] and shows what the site page https://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/just-a-pill-60-years-of-the-contraceptive-pill-on-the-nhs/ looked like on 13 Jun 2025 at 00:00:00
blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk
December 4, 2025 at 1:58 PM
#OTD in 1961 the contraceptive pill was introduced on the NHS.
While the pill continues to be debated and at times still attracts controversy, it is important to remember what it offered women: greater control over their own bodies.
blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/just-a-pill-...
#sexualhealth
While the pill continues to be debated and at times still attracts controversy, it is important to remember what it offered women: greater control over their own bodies.
blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/just-a-pill-...
#sexualhealth
Reposted by Norena Shopland
This International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, learn about gender and enslavement #AbolitionOfSlavery
womenshistorynetwork.org/black-asian-...
womenshistorynetwork.org/black-asian-...
Black & Asian women’s history: enslaved women on ships
‘A slave is a human being classed as property and who is forced to work for nothing. An enslaved person is a human being who is made to be a slave. This language is often used instead of the word s…
womenshistorynetwork.org
December 2, 2025 at 12:36 PM
This International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, learn about gender and enslavement #AbolitionOfSlavery
womenshistorynetwork.org/black-asian-...
womenshistorynetwork.org/black-asian-...
Reposted by Norena Shopland
Wales has a National Museum which serves the dual purpose of butt-joining the nation’s treasures. It’s a wonderful institution, but a museum is not a gallery. The issue isn’t No Welsh Art, but the absence of a proper place to put it ✍️ Desmond Clifford
Why we need a National Gallery of Wales
Desmond Clifford Uniquely among the capitals of the British Isles, Cardiff has no National Gallery. In each of London, Dublin and Edinburgh such a gallery is at the centre of the nation’s identity and...
wp.me
November 30, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Wales has a National Museum which serves the dual purpose of butt-joining the nation’s treasures. It’s a wonderful institution, but a museum is not a gallery. The issue isn’t No Welsh Art, but the absence of a proper place to put it ✍️ Desmond Clifford
My article looking at 1894: The first Welsh women politicians nation.cymru/feature/1894... @nation.cymru @leannewood.bsky.social @prifweinidog.gov.wales @janehutt.bsky.social @kirsty-williams.bsky.social @rebeccaevansms.bsky.social @juliejamesms.bsky.social @delythjewell.bsky.social
1894: The first Welsh women politicians
Norena Shopland Prior to 1894, only a few women had the right to vote or stand for political office, but this changed with the reforming of local government that year. Now, working-class people were a...
nation.cymru
November 30, 2025 at 11:12 AM
My article looking at 1894: The first Welsh women politicians nation.cymru/feature/1894... @nation.cymru @leannewood.bsky.social @prifweinidog.gov.wales @janehutt.bsky.social @kirsty-williams.bsky.social @rebeccaevansms.bsky.social @juliejamesms.bsky.social @delythjewell.bsky.social
Reposted by Norena Shopland
Ex-leader of Plaid Cymru Leanne Wood has taken to Facebook to share a tip for those intending to use Freepost envelopes sent alongside political leaflets to trigger reverse-charge postage for political parties
Ex Plaid Cymru leader encourages costly back charge trick for political letters
Ex-leader of Plaid Cymru Leanne Wood has taken to Facebook to share a tip for those intending to use Freepost envelopes sent alongside political leaflets to trigger reverse-charge postage for politica...
wp.me
November 30, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Ex-leader of Plaid Cymru Leanne Wood has taken to Facebook to share a tip for those intending to use Freepost envelopes sent alongside political leaflets to trigger reverse-charge postage for political parties
Reposted by Norena Shopland
Today marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Explore our blog post: “Depoliticising Male Violence Against Women” and learn more about this important history.
womenshistorynetwork.org/unrelenting-... #NoExcuse
Explore our blog post: “Depoliticising Male Violence Against Women” and learn more about this important history.
womenshistorynetwork.org/unrelenting-... #NoExcuse
UNRELENTING BACKLASH – Depoliticising Male Violence Against Women: Part 1
The term “gender based violence against women” does not inform the reader who is responsible for committing violence against women. “Gender” is a descriptive term not a huma…
womenshistorynetwork.org
November 25, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Today marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Explore our blog post: “Depoliticising Male Violence Against Women” and learn more about this important history.
womenshistorynetwork.org/unrelenting-... #NoExcuse
Explore our blog post: “Depoliticising Male Violence Against Women” and learn more about this important history.
womenshistorynetwork.org/unrelenting-... #NoExcuse
Reposted by Norena Shopland
Discover how the first women’s refuge in the UK, founded in 1971 by Chiswick Women’s Aid, sparked a movement for change.
Read the full story here:
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/explore-the-....
Read the full story here:
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/explore-the-....
How the first women's refuge enacted change in the UK
The founding years of Chiswick Women’s Aid saw the opening of the world's first women's refuge, disputes with local government, and creating change in the UK.
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
November 25, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Discover how the first women’s refuge in the UK, founded in 1971 by Chiswick Women’s Aid, sparked a movement for change.
Read the full story here:
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/explore-the-....
Read the full story here:
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/explore-the-....
Reposted by Norena Shopland
We are very excited to have the privilege of hosting Prof Merry Wiesner-Hanks tomorrow at 4pm GMT. Merry will be discussing her book 'Women and the Reformations: A Global History'. Please do sign up to join us: womenshistorynetwork.org/sign-up-now-...
November 19, 2025 at 1:11 AM
We are very excited to have the privilege of hosting Prof Merry Wiesner-Hanks tomorrow at 4pm GMT. Merry will be discussing her book 'Women and the Reformations: A Global History'. Please do sign up to join us: womenshistorynetwork.org/sign-up-now-...
Reposted by Norena Shopland
A new programme designed to open up journalism in Wales to people from working-class and underrepresented backgrounds has been launched by Nation.Cymru
Nation.Cymru launches scheme to support next generation of Welsh journalists
A new programme designed to open up journalism in Wales to people from working-class and underrepresented backgrounds has been launched by Nation.Cymru. Backed by Creative Wales’ Public Interest Journ...
nation.cymru
November 14, 2025 at 3:13 PM
A new programme designed to open up journalism in Wales to people from working-class and underrepresented backgrounds has been launched by Nation.Cymru
Indeed!
Wales is nothing more than a ‘stepping stone’ to Downing Street for Nigel Farage and Caerphilly should be ‘very proud’ they sent him packing, the new leader of the Green Party has said ✍️ @emilypricejourno.bsky.social
Wales nothing more than 'stepping stone' to Downing Street for Farage, Polanski warns
Emily Price Wales is nothing more than a “stepping stone” to Downing Street for Nigel Farage and Caerphilly should be “very proud” they sent him packing, the new leader of the Green Party has said. Z...
wp.me
November 8, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Indeed!
Absolutely - I have asked the Laura Kuenssberg show so many times to have @plaidcymru.bsky.social and/or Lindsay Whittle on, but they don't even have the curtesy to reply and explain their discrimination.
UK-wide broadcasters framed the coverage of the Caerphilly by-election result not around Plaid Cymru’s victory but the implications for the Labour Party and Reform UK, according to research carried out at Cardiff University ✍️Martin Shipton nation.cymru/news/plaid-c...
Plaid Cymru's Caerphilly victory overshadowed by UK broadcasters' obsession with Reform UK and Labour
Martin Shipton UK-wide broadcasters framed the coverage of the Caerphilly by-election result not around Plaid Cymru’s victory but the implications for the Labour Party and Reform UK, according to rese...
nation.cymru
November 7, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Absolutely - I have asked the Laura Kuenssberg show so many times to have @plaidcymru.bsky.social and/or Lindsay Whittle on, but they don't even have the curtesy to reply and explain their discrimination.
First Caerphilly, now America! www.reuters.com/world/us/ele...
Elections in New York, New Jersey and Virginia offer early test of Trump's agenda
Voters in New Jersey and Virginia will choose their next governors in a pair of races that will serve as an early gauge of the American electorate's response to President Donald Trump's norm-shattering nine months in office.
www.reuters.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:24 AM
First Caerphilly, now America! www.reuters.com/world/us/ele...
Reposted by Norena Shopland
Ahead of our 'New Approaches to Writing Women's Histories' event, we want to shine a light on our fab speakers, starting with Kaia Alderson. Kaia is a historical fiction author passionate about highlighting “hidden" women in African American history. Read more about Kaia here: www.kaiaalderson.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Ahead of our 'New Approaches to Writing Women's Histories' event, we want to shine a light on our fab speakers, starting with Kaia Alderson. Kaia is a historical fiction author passionate about highlighting “hidden" women in African American history. Read more about Kaia here: www.kaiaalderson.com
Reposted by Norena Shopland
Glamorgan History Society Autumn Day
The Glamorgan History Society will be holding it’s annual Autumn Day in Bridgend on Saturday 8 November.
This year, in celebration of the Society’s 75th anniversary, the theme is ‘Writing the History of Glamorgan’.
The Glamorgan History Society will be holding it’s annual Autumn Day in Bridgend on Saturday 8 November.
This year, in celebration of the Society’s 75th anniversary, the theme is ‘Writing the History of Glamorgan’.
October 28, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Glamorgan History Society Autumn Day
The Glamorgan History Society will be holding it’s annual Autumn Day in Bridgend on Saturday 8 November.
This year, in celebration of the Society’s 75th anniversary, the theme is ‘Writing the History of Glamorgan’.
The Glamorgan History Society will be holding it’s annual Autumn Day in Bridgend on Saturday 8 November.
This year, in celebration of the Society’s 75th anniversary, the theme is ‘Writing the History of Glamorgan’.
Despite disliking @LauraKuenssberg, watching @kamalaharris.com was a joy - the president America deserved, but failed to recognise www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Kamala Harris tells BBC she may run for president again
The former US vice-president made her strongest suggestion to date she will make another bid for the White House
www.bbc.co.uk
October 26, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Despite disliking @LauraKuenssberg, watching @kamalaharris.com was a joy - the president America deserved, but failed to recognise www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Norena Shopland
Older women who clock up 4,000 steps a day just once or twice a week cut their chance of early death by 26%, research suggests
Women walking 4,000 steps once or twice a week ‘cuts risk of early death by 26%’
Older women who clock up 4,000 steps a day just once or twice a week cut their chance of early death by 26%, research suggests. It is also the amount people walk, rather than the number of days on whi...
wp.me
October 24, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Older women who clock up 4,000 steps a day just once or twice a week cut their chance of early death by 26%, research suggests
Thank you, people of #Caerphilly for restoring my faith in humanity bbc.com/news/live/cly9rlj94x1t
Plaid Cymru wins Caerphilly by-election as Labour loses seat for first time ever
Reform UK comes second in the race to represent Caerphilly in the Welsh Parliament - with Labour a distant third.
bbc.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Thank you, people of #Caerphilly for restoring my faith in humanity bbc.com/news/live/cly9rlj94x1t
That's how much Farage thinks of his party member, couldn't remain to comfort him on his loss, or to explain to those in Caerphilly who voted for his party, what went wrong. Charlatan!
“The joke among Plaid supporters at the count was that long before the declaration Mr Farage was halfway down the M4 on his way back to London.”
news.sky.com/story/caerph...
news.sky.com/story/caerph...
Caerphilly by-election: Just like that! In Tommy Cooper's birthplace, Farage nowhere to be seen as Reform loses
The joke among Plaid supporters at the count was that long before the declaration Mr Farage was halfway down the M4 on his way back to London, Jon Craig writes.
news.sky.com
October 24, 2025 at 9:33 AM
That's how much Farage thinks of his party member, couldn't remain to comfort him on his loss, or to explain to those in Caerphilly who voted for his party, what went wrong. Charlatan!