Rupert Matthews
@rupertmatthews.bsky.social
I am an historian who is currently ReformUK Police & Crime Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland. Keen on history & breakfast. This a personal account which contains my own views not the official account of the Police nor of the OPCC.
On this day in 1967 the Star Trek episode “The Trouble with Tribbles” was broadcast for the first time.
#startrek #tribbles
memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/The_Tro...
#startrek #tribbles
memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/The_Tro...
The Trouble with Tribbles (episode)
The Enterprise is overrun by furry creatures while tangling with Klingons and bureaucrats. The USS Enterprise is en route to Deep Space Station K-7 for assistance with an important assignment regardin...
memory-alpha.fandom.com
December 30, 2025 at 4:55 PM
On this day in 1967 the Star Trek episode “The Trouble with Tribbles” was broadcast for the first time.
#startrek #tribbles
memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/The_Tro...
#startrek #tribbles
memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/The_Tro...
This morning I took my #StarWars #christmasjumper to the British Desi Society in #Leicester to record a special New Year message for all their followers & to thank them for the great community work they do.
December 30, 2025 at 12:25 PM
This morning I took my #StarWars #christmasjumper to the British Desi Society in #Leicester to record a special New Year message for all their followers & to thank them for the great community work they do.
On this day in 1170 Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, was hacked to death in his own cathedral, thus becoming a saint & martyr rather than the right royal pain in the neck he had been hitherto. www.thebecketstory.org.uk/pilgrimage/s...
Who was Thomas Becket?
Thomas Becket was an English archbishop and martyr, famously murdered by knights of Henry II at Canterbury Cathedral. After his death, his tomb and relics became a focus for pilgrimage and he was
www.thebecketstory.org.uk
December 29, 2025 at 9:11 AM
On this day in 1170 Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, was hacked to death in his own cathedral, thus becoming a saint & martyr rather than the right royal pain in the neck he had been hitherto. www.thebecketstory.org.uk/pilgrimage/s...
On 23 December 583, Lady Yohl Ik’nal became ruler of the Mayan city Palenque. Her name means “Lady Heart Wind Place”. She was most likely the daughter of the previous ruler, Kan Bahlam I, though perhaps his sister. She ruled for 21 years. teamqueens.org/yohl-iknal/
Yohl Ik’nal
Digitised and vectorised signature of Yohl Ik’nal. Image Credit: WikiCommons By Johanna Strong Yohl Ik’nal – meaning Lady Heart Wind Place – was the first recorded Mayan queen, ruling from la…
teamqueens.org
December 23, 2025 at 9:15 AM
On 23 December 583, Lady Yohl Ik’nal became ruler of the Mayan city Palenque. Her name means “Lady Heart Wind Place”. She was most likely the daughter of the previous ruler, Kan Bahlam I, though perhaps his sister. She ruled for 21 years. teamqueens.org/yohl-iknal/
“NUTS!” Was the reply given on this day in 1944 by US General Anthony McAuliffe when asked to surrender the town of Bastogne by General von Luttwitz of the surrounding German army. m.youtube.com/watch?v=AAWV...
Week 278 - The Siege of Bastogne Begins - WW2 - December 23, 1944
YouTube video by World War Two
m.youtube.com
December 22, 2025 at 7:00 AM
“NUTS!” Was the reply given on this day in 1944 by US General Anthony McAuliffe when asked to surrender the town of Bastogne by General von Luttwitz of the surrounding German army. m.youtube.com/watch?v=AAWV...
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the world's first full-length animated feature, premiered on this day in 1937.
British film censors rated it unsuitable for children aged under 16.
www.bbfc.co.uk/education/ca...
British film censors rated it unsuitable for children aged under 16.
www.bbfc.co.uk/education/ca...
www.bbfc.co.uk
December 21, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the world's first full-length animated feature, premiered on this day in 1937.
British film censors rated it unsuitable for children aged under 16.
www.bbfc.co.uk/education/ca...
British film censors rated it unsuitable for children aged under 16.
www.bbfc.co.uk/education/ca...
On 20 December 1917, Lenin & the Soviet government established the Cheka (secret police), which enforced the Red Terror & killed perhaps 200,000 opponents of left wing rule in Russia. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheka
Cheka - Wikipedia
en.m.wikipedia.org
December 20, 2025 at 9:57 AM
On 20 December 1917, Lenin & the Soviet government established the Cheka (secret police), which enforced the Red Terror & killed perhaps 200,000 opponents of left wing rule in Russia. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheka
The BBC World Service began broadcasting on this day in 1932. It is now the world's largest external broadcaster in terms of reception area, language selection and audience reach with 210 million regular listeners in 42 languages.
www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p0...
www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p0...
BBC World Service Online - Schedules
This is the daily broadcast schedule for BBC World Service Online
www.bbc.co.uk
December 19, 2025 at 8:08 AM
The BBC World Service began broadcasting on this day in 1932. It is now the world's largest external broadcaster in terms of reception area, language selection and audience reach with 210 million regular listeners in 42 languages.
www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p0...
www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p0...
It was a real education visiting Carl Gunns Gym in #Birstall yesterday & chat with the promising young boxers going through their paces
December 18, 2025 at 3:57 PM
It was a real education visiting Carl Gunns Gym in #Birstall yesterday & chat with the promising young boxers going through their paces
I was most impressed by my visit to @UnityBoxing in the #HomeFarm area of #Leicester yesterday. An astonishing number of national & Commonwealth champions plus some impressive local community work. With thanks to @neetusquire1
December 18, 2025 at 1:23 PM
I was most impressed by my visit to @UnityBoxing in the #HomeFarm area of #Leicester yesterday. An astonishing number of national & Commonwealth champions plus some impressive local community work. With thanks to @neetusquire1
On December 18, 1655, the Whitehall Conference, convened by Oliver Cromwell to overturn the 350 year ban on Jews in England came to an end. It decided that there was no law “against their coming in.” And so Jews were allowed to return to England.
www.haaretz.com/jewish/2016-...
www.haaretz.com/jewish/2016-...
1655: Cromwell conference on letting Jews back into England fizzles out
Some 350 Years After Their Expulsion by Edward I, Oliver Cromwell Wanted the Jews Back, but Ran Into Unexpected Opposition.
www.haaretz.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:06 AM
On December 18, 1655, the Whitehall Conference, convened by Oliver Cromwell to overturn the 350 year ban on Jews in England came to an end. It decided that there was no law “against their coming in.” And so Jews were allowed to return to England.
www.haaretz.com/jewish/2016-...
www.haaretz.com/jewish/2016-...
Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews met youth workers who have successfully driven down anti-social behaviour and violence by interacting with young people on their way home from school.
www.leics.pcc.police.uk/news/latest-...
www.leics.pcc.police.uk/news/latest-...
Youth outreach workers curb violence and ASB afterschool in Leicester
Youth outreach workers curb violence and ASB afterschool in Leicester
www.leics.pcc.police.uk
December 17, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews met youth workers who have successfully driven down anti-social behaviour and violence by interacting with young people on their way home from school.
www.leics.pcc.police.uk/news/latest-...
www.leics.pcc.police.uk/news/latest-...
The Wright Brothers made the first sustained flight by a manned heavier-than-air powered & controlled aircraft—an airplane—on December 17, 1903. Invented and flown by brothers Orville & Wilbur Wright, it was the beginning of the pioneer era of aviation.
airandspace.si.edu/collection-o...
airandspace.si.edu/collection-o...
1903 Wright Flyer | National Air and Space Museum
airandspace.si.edu
December 17, 2025 at 7:44 AM
The Wright Brothers made the first sustained flight by a manned heavier-than-air powered & controlled aircraft—an airplane—on December 17, 1903. Invented and flown by brothers Orville & Wilbur Wright, it was the beginning of the pioneer era of aviation.
airandspace.si.edu/collection-o...
airandspace.si.edu/collection-o...
After the terrible events in #Sydney today I made a point of attending the #Chanukah celebrations in #Leicester Town Hall. I don’t want to hear more blather about lessons being learned. I want to see those lessons being put into action.
December 14, 2025 at 7:26 PM
After the terrible events in #Sydney today I made a point of attending the #Chanukah celebrations in #Leicester Town Hall. I don’t want to hear more blather about lessons being learned. I want to see those lessons being put into action.
A massive storm surge on this day in 1287 ripped away dunes on the Dutch coast to create the Zuider Zee, destroy villages, permanently inundate hundreds of square miles of land beneath the sea & kill c.80,000 people. It is known as St Lucia’s Day Flood.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Luc...
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Luc...
St. Lucia's flood - Wikipedia
en.m.wikipedia.org
December 14, 2025 at 7:15 AM
A massive storm surge on this day in 1287 ripped away dunes on the Dutch coast to create the Zuider Zee, destroy villages, permanently inundate hundreds of square miles of land beneath the sea & kill c.80,000 people. It is known as St Lucia’s Day Flood.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Luc...
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Luc...
December 13 is Saint Lucy’s Day – it commemorates the martyr Lucia of Syracuse, who, according to legend, brought food to Christians hiding in Roman catacombs, lighting her way with a candlelit wreath on her head. #Sweden 🇸🇪
visitsweden.com/what-to-do/c...
visitsweden.com/what-to-do/c...
Lucia – an old Swedish tradition
The Lucia custom is centuries old, and moving with the times, yet adheres to tradition. If you can't come to Sweden, watch a Lucia concert online.
visitsweden.com
December 13, 2025 at 9:37 AM
December 13 is Saint Lucy’s Day – it commemorates the martyr Lucia of Syracuse, who, according to legend, brought food to Christians hiding in Roman catacombs, lighting her way with a candlelit wreath on her head. #Sweden 🇸🇪
visitsweden.com/what-to-do/c...
visitsweden.com/what-to-do/c...
The worst mining disaster in English history happened on this day in 1866 when series of explosions caused by firedamp ripped through the underground workings at the Oaks Colliery at Hoyle Mill near Stairfoot in Barnsley killing 361 miners and rescuers.
www.oaks1866.com
www.oaks1866.com
Oaks Disaster 1866 – Oaks Colliery Disaster Website
www.oaks1866.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:24 AM
The worst mining disaster in English history happened on this day in 1866 when series of explosions caused by firedamp ripped through the underground workings at the Oaks Colliery at Hoyle Mill near Stairfoot in Barnsley killing 361 miners and rescuers.
www.oaks1866.com
www.oaks1866.com
And so to the magnificent @_stmichaels_ for the inaugural service of Christian Fellowship of @reformparty_uk with @montie @Towler @annewiddecombe & many others. A beautiful service with old favourite carols 🎅🏻
December 11, 2025 at 3:07 PM
And so to the magnificent @_stmichaels_ for the inaugural service of Christian Fellowship of @reformparty_uk with @montie @Towler @annewiddecombe & many others. A beautiful service with old favourite carols 🎅🏻
At 6am on 11 December 2005 I was woken up in South London by a loud, dull thump. It wasn’t until I switched the radio on later I found out it had been the Buncefield Explosion happening over 30 miles away. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-1026...
How the Buncefield fire happened
Images and graphics explain how the Buncefield fire happened.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 11, 2025 at 6:52 AM
At 6am on 11 December 2005 I was woken up in South London by a loud, dull thump. It wasn’t until I switched the radio on later I found out it had been the Buncefield Explosion happening over 30 miles away. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-1026...
10 December: In 1940 the Leicestershire Regiment took part in the Battle of Sidi Barrani, defeating the Italian army in North Africa and gaining a battle honour.
royalleicestershireregiment.org.uk/history-of-t...
royalleicestershireregiment.org.uk/history-of-t...
History of the Regiment (1/5) - Royal Leicestershire Regiment
royalleicestershireregiment.org.uk
December 10, 2025 at 6:53 AM
10 December: In 1940 the Leicestershire Regiment took part in the Battle of Sidi Barrani, defeating the Italian army in North Africa and gaining a battle honour.
royalleicestershireregiment.org.uk/history-of-t...
royalleicestershireregiment.org.uk/history-of-t...
The Battle of Reading was fought on this day in 1688 between supporters of King James II and rebels backing William of Orange. The clash resulted in a decisive Williamite victory.
military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Battle_...
military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Battle_...
Client Challenge
military-history.fandom.com
December 9, 2025 at 7:13 AM
The Battle of Reading was fought on this day in 1688 between supporters of King James II and rebels backing William of Orange. The clash resulted in a decisive Williamite victory.
military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Battle_...
military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Battle_...
The @WesleyHallCC #Christmas 🎅🏻 event this morning was a fantastic mix of music, food, entertainment & festive fun. Thanks to all involved.
December 8, 2025 at 2:28 PM
The @WesleyHallCC #Christmas 🎅🏻 event this morning was a fantastic mix of music, food, entertainment & festive fun. Thanks to all involved.
On 8 December 1660 Margaret Hughes became the first woman to appear on stage in England. She played Desdemona in Shakespeare’s “Othello”. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margare...
Margaret Hughes - Wikipedia
en.m.wikipedia.org
December 8, 2025 at 7:12 AM
On 8 December 1660 Margaret Hughes became the first woman to appear on stage in England. She played Desdemona in Shakespeare’s “Othello”. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margare...