Ali @alismith8 - Bluesky Profile

Let's pause from all the crap and raise a glass to the wonder woman that is Sara Cox. What a gritty, amazing effort and £7 million for Children in Need. 🥂🍾Wowzers Sara!! Blooming wowzers.👏👏👏

14.11.2025 19:27 — 👍 17 🔁 5 💬 1 📌 0

Sara Cox….🥰🥰🥰 I mean she was a pure legend anyway before this week but wow…what a woman 🤗❤️

14.11.2025 18:34 — 👍 2 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

With remarkable serendipity with everything else going on this week this should be the biggest story about the BBC. The remarkable Sara Cox has found a rich seam of good out there. Don't let anyone tell you we're a broken country. This is magnificent as is Sara

14.11.2025 09:49 — 👍 21 🔁 6 💬 1 📌 0

YouTube video by Robert Grace - Topic Home

Wholesome!
I sing this to my daughters 🥹
youtube.com/watch?v=VN_Z...

14.11.2025 15:24 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Our roots keep us grounded, connected to the Earth. They tell our stories, of days gone by, with us since our birth. Over time they grow in strength, connections grow ever deeper. Cloaked in moss, natures verdant gloss, as our climb grows ever steeper. There's a lesson here, that i hold so dear, the trees our patient teachers. Stand your ground, trust your roots are sound, and support all Earth's creatures.

Here's one for my #MossyMonday crew! May the #Moss be with you💚🌿🌲🌿💚

"Trees have long thoughts, long-breathing and restful, just as they have longer lives than ours. They are wiser than we are, as long as we do not listen to them"

- Herman Hesse

#green #eastcoastkin #photography #nature #ALTpoetry

10.11.2025 17:45 — 👍 214 🔁 29 💬 16 📌 1

Cllr Tracey Rawlins speaking to the crowd about Manchester's commitment to safer streets for people walking, wheeling and cycling.

RIDES FOR WOMEN flag on the back of Anna's lit up bike

Lights Up Marshall photo

Ride out of All Saints Park for Lights Up

Today we rode to demand safer streets for women cycling in winter.

Cycling is joyous but many women feel left out of our movement. It's time that changed.

08.11.2025 22:45 — 👍 32 🔁 10 💬 0 📌 1

The day has finally arrived! Are you ready for #MAF2025?!

We’ve got uk premieres, panels, previews, workshops, masterclasses and so much more. Hold onto your hats and hang on for a wild ride!

Day 1 of #MAF2025 is GO!
buff.ly/dnwSc9j

09.11.2025 07:30 — 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

Support Indie #Bookshops

30.10.2025 22:04 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

The winter Olympics we actually want to watch.

08.10.2025 14:04 — 👍 1154 🔁 157 💬 28 📌 6

Brilliant, did he make it? I need one! 👍

06.10.2025 17:24 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0

Adams Road will become England’s first official Cycle Street. Thousands of people are expected to use the street, which will be part of the Comberton Greenway.
Great news for Cambridge cyclists. When I worked there I used the many cycle paths all the time. It's a great place to live and work.

05.10.2025 06:40 — 👍 23 🔁 2 💬 2 📌 0

🦍🦧 🧪🙏📚. Every day you live you make some impact on the world…

05.10.2025 12:47 — 👍 56 🔁 7 💬 0 📌 0

ooh I must have missed this story… Fantastic! Love walking around Delamere Forest regularly with my daughter, will see if visitors are allowed to view the seeds &/or volunteer to help grow saplings next time there🌲🌲🐕‍🦺 cheers

03.10.2025 18:02 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Welcoming autumn: a season of transition Emily Robinson, Content Officer at the Forestry Commission, introduces the autumn season changes we can expect in woodlands as trees and wildlife begin their preparation for winter. September marks the beginning of a dramatic transformation period within our woodlands and forests. While summer's full green canopy still dominates our woodlands, subtle changes are already underway that will reshape our leafy landscapes over the coming months. We are now losing nearly three minutes of sunlight each day, and these shortening daylight hours, paired with cooling temperatures, are triggering changes that will soon become visible. The trees are beginning their quiet preparation for winter. Person pausing on a forest walk to take in the autumn sunset at Leigh Woods. Credit: Forestry England ## The difference between deciduous and evergreen trees Understanding which trees shed their leaves helps explain what we'll witness in the coming weeks. Deciduous trees drop their leaves annually, whilst evergreens retain theirs throughout winter. Most broadleaf trees are deciduous, though there are some exceptions such as holly, which is an evergreen that keeps its glossy, spiky leaves year-round. Conifers on the other hand, tend to be evergreen, with exceptions such as European larch which are deciduous and will shed their needles each year. ## Why deciduous trees will soon shed their leaves The broad leaves that captured summer sunshine so efficiently are now becoming liabilities. In freezing temperatures, these large leaf surfaces would lose precious water and risk cellular damage from colder weather. Deciduous trees have already begun forming abscission layers – specialised barriers at the base of each leaf stem that gradually restrict the flow of nutrients and water. As autumn progresses, this layer will produce enzymes that methodically break down the cell walls that anchor each leaf to its branch. Eventually, even a gentle breeze will be enough to send the leaf spiralling towards the ground. Without leaves, trees can enter dormancy to dramatically conserve their energy. They retain moisture within their woody tissues to prevent dehydration, whilst their bare branches offer less resistance to winter winds and reduce the burden of snow settling on them. These clever adaptations allow trees to weather the colder months ahead with minimal stress, conserving their resources for spring's eventual return. Leaves changing colour in the Forest of Dean. Credit: Forestry England ## How evergreens are preparing for winter Rather than retreating completely, evergreen species will adjust their metabolism and physiology to maintain some activity throughout winter, whilst protecting themselves from harsh conditions. Scots pine needles may begin showing a subtly different blue-green colouration as they develop natural antifreeze compounds. Norway spruce branches will start adjusting their angle, preparing to shed heavy snow loads more effectively. This helps to prevent branches from snapping under excessive weight, and the downward slope also helps deflect harsh winds. By late October, conifer growth virtually ceases as trees redirect their energy towards survival rather than growth. The vulnerable bright green summer growth darkens and hardens to withstand freezing temperatures. Several species will also develop thicker waxy coatings on their needles to prevent water loss, as the frozen soil in winter makes water uptake more difficult. Autumn also brings more visible changes in conifers, as mature cones begin opening up on warm days to release their seeds. You might notice the contrast between this year's small green cones and the larger brown cones from previous years finally splitting apart. Meanwhile, new cone buds are already forming for next year's cycle! ## An optimal window for tree planting During the autumn and winter months, trees naturally redirect their energy from leaf and shoot production towards root development. This makes it the optimal time to plant trees. The seasonal shift makes newly planted saplings far more likely to survive, as they can focus entirely on establishing robust root systems without the demanding task of supporting active foliage. The cooler, wetter conditions typical of these months provide ideal establishment conditions. Increased rainfall delivers consistent moisture without the risk of summer drought stress, whilst lower temperatures reduce water loss through transpiration. Dormant trees also experience considerably less transplant shock compared to those moved during the growing season, as they're not actively producing new shoots and leaves that would place immediate demands on a disturbed root system. By the time spring comes, these well-established plantings will have already developed root networks that will support vigorous new growth. ## A feeding frenzy for wildlife The arrival of autumn marks the beginning of intense activity for woodland wildlife too as they prepare for winter alongside the trees. The year's collective seed and fruit production across the woodland is now reaching its peak; with hazelnuts, acorns, beechnuts and berries becoming increasingly abundant. This autumn bounty will drive much of the wildlife behaviour you'll observe over the coming weeks, from squirrels frantically collecting nuts to birds like jays taking acorns for their winter stores. These interactions benefit trees as much as animals. The Eurasian jay is considered by some to be the most important factor in oak dispersal and spread, as they store thousands of acorns each autumn yet fail to retrieve many of them.[1] Meanwhile, berry-eating birds like thrushes and blackbirds consume fruits whole, dispersing viable seeds through their droppings across wide areas. This helpful wildlife-driven seed dispersal helps trees to colonise new territories and maintains genetic diversity between distant woodland populations. A Eurasian jay (_Garrulus glandarius_) sitting on a branch. Credit: Pixabay ## A woodland's underground economy As leaves fall and begin to cover the woodland floor over the coming months, they’ll become the foundation of the soil’s underground economy. The leaves provide essential food for an army of decomposers – earthworms, millipedes, springtails and countless soil bacteria and fungi – who will work tirelessly to break it all down. Look out for the gradual disappearance of leaf litter through autumn and winter as these active decomposers turn complex plant tissue back into nutrients. The nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium locked within the fallen leaves will slowly release back into the soil, which creates a nutrient-rich zone around each tree’s root system. These nutrients will be reclaimed by the trees to fuel growth in the spring. Oak leaves covering the forest floor at Cannock Chase. Credit: Forestry England ## Watching the transformations unfold Over the next few months, every walk in a woodland will reveal new chapters in this unfolding transformation. Watch for the first yellow speckles on birch leaves, listen for the increased activity of birds making the most of abundant berry supplies and enjoy the sound of leaves crunching beneath your feet. Each observation connects you to processes that have shaped these ecosystems for thousands of years. Whether you're managing woodland or simply seeking to understand the natural world around you, autumn offers numerous opportunities to witness the intricate relationships that make our forests resilient and endlessly fascinating. The transformation is already beginning – the question is, what will you notice first? Learn about ways to help support your woodland through this period with our blog that provides 5 tips for managing your woodland this autumn. * * * 1] [Foraging Eurasian Jays (_Garrulus glandarius_) prefer oaks and acorns in central Europe

16.09.2025 08:00 — 👍 3 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

A screenshot of a post by the Jane Goodall Institute on LinkedIn stating that they learned that Dr. Goodall passed away due to natural causes in California while on her speaking to her current speaking tour there.

The world has lost its most powerful advocate for nature and hope. Yet many remain who will continue her legacy and I know she will continue to inspire generations more.

01.10.2025 18:01 — 👍 1604 🔁 475 💬 37 📌 63

The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice. Except it doesn’t bend on its own—it bends because we pull it in the direction of justice. What keeps me hopeful during times like these is being surrounded by people who are doing just that.

29.09.2025 19:00 — 👍 20330 🔁 5837 💬 739 📌 353

Why I gave the world wide web away for free | Tim Berners-Lee My vision was based on sharing, not exploitation – and here’s why it’s still worth fighting for

Tim Berners-Lee: Why I gave the world wide web away for free.

"My vision was based on sharing, not exploitation – and here’s why it’s still worth fighting for."

🧪💻🛜
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

29.09.2025 05:03 — 👍 46 🔁 16 💬 1 📌 0

This week in games!

#sunday #play

28.09.2025 09:22 — 👍 6 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

View through to Rudyard Lake from Rudyard Hotel

Here’s a naturally framed picture of Rudyard Lake from Rudyard Hotel. Have a lovely day #Stunday

28.09.2025 07:08 — 👍 5 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

A dramatic black and white photo of a white house in front of mountains with snow on the ground. Text on top says "Every Sunday is #Stunday! Post whatever you find stunning & repost your favorites from others. All people, types of art & skill levels welcome.

Sunday is #Stunday

Post whatever you find stunning & repost your favorites from others. All people, types of art & skill levels welcome.

#EastCoastKin #ArtChallenges #Photography #Art

28.09.2025 00:35 — 👍 47 🔁 6 💬 0 📌 0

Fantastic… best wishes to you all for the future & making lots of memories together!

28.09.2025 00:43 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

oh no, so sorry to read this, hope the treatment worked for your friends son? Best Wishes

I gave blood many years ago. Had major surgery myself last year (lots pre-cancerous cells found) recv’d news no more were found just before Christmas. Hoping to ‘pay it forward’, to help friend & others now.

28.09.2025 00:24 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0

This is fantastic advice and means a lot to me, thanks very much! 🫶

I have a long time family friend who is on her 3rd & last course of chemo in a large specialist Cancer Hospital nearby & I really want to give myself the best chance of donating.

27.09.2025 21:55 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0

Esponce Domain Server

Congrats, what you’re doing is amazing!
I’ve just been allowed back to donate blood after many years. Gave blood last month & booked straight away for end of November esp. to be tested to see if can donate platelets… do you have any good advice prior to the test for successful donation please?🩸

27.09.2025 21:06 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0

Today, the Red Roses take on Les Bleues in the Women’s Rugby World Cup semi-final.

London, and all of England, are behind you 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

20.09.2025 12:44 — 👍 114 🔁 9 💬 3 📌 1

A landscape view of the Lake District, looking down a grassy slope to a large lake surrounded by lush woodland. A wide pathway leads up and down the undulating landscape and around the lake.

Time to cast your vote – help shape the future of the National Trust ahead of our Annual General Meeting (AGM): buff.ly/kmcNfha

It’s your opportunity, as a member, to tell us what matters to you. Make sure you have your say before midnight on 31 Oct!

15.09.2025 07:15 — 👍 58 🔁 38 💬 5 📌 9

Wow, looks amazing… enjoy!

Just as lovely as some of the food had cafe’s & restaurants whilst travelling in Peru.

Was given what you call ‘chips’ on one of my main dishes in Ollantaytambo & chuckled as my food arrived with what we call ‘crisps’ over here, my error yet loved the experience 😂

26.09.2025 22:25 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Enjoy! Will you be doing a bit of a write up of the game please?
For our lunchtime games club a couple of us have personally bought 4 small games & placed in the kitchen. Work is donating some money for us & would love to see some reviews you have before we pop out to purchase more, thanks

26.09.2025 21:59 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0

Chatsworth House

Stone seat by the river at Chatsworth House

River at Chatsworth House

Mum & Dad out for a stroll in the drizzle on mums birthday at Chatsworth House

Took A/L & did a surprise meet up in Baslow for lunch with mum on her birthday then a stroll in Chatsworth House grounds, polished off with tea & Birthday cake
This time last yr we were a smidge away from losing her & she was seriously ill in Royal Stoke, this year I’ve prioritised my time 4 family🫶

24.09.2025 17:30 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Ooof! Whilst this is a valuable lesson all companies should heed. I look forward to doing the 9 ratio analysis next year on their accounts & analysing the knock on effect with their supply chain.
Sure this may become good discussion in class on business courses.

24.09.2025 17:12 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Ali

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