Sheila Pankhurst

As I've said before the lack of focus on A&E in govt plans is bewildering even just from a political perspective. For many people it's their most viseral and memorable interaction with the state.

New Westmorland and Furness Way walking route announced Hikers will be able to tackle the 120 mile (193km) trail which will take eight to 17 days.

On my list to explore - possibly this autumn. Goes through some beautiful countryside. #Cumbria #https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2xeexn3w4o

Borrowdale Valley rare lichens thriving due to farming practices The National Trust says results from a lichen survey in Cumbria uncovered new species.

When I retired, one of my resolutions was to try to learn more about identifying mosses and lichens. I’m making some progress with mosses, but finding lichens tricky .. Great respect for the experts involved in this work. #cumbria
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Homeless people were given free money, no strings attached. Here's what happened A new trial gave homeless people £2,000 to spend however they choose. What they spent the money on may surprise you.

People experiencing homelessness were given £2,000 with no conditions through the Personal Grants Project. Early findings show the money went on rent deposits, furniture, courses and childcare. We’re proud to be funding this UK-first trial with CHI.

Read more: https://loom.ly/ufqFIqg

No Covid infection is mild. We need layered mitigations because Covid vaccines were designed to reduce disease severity not necessarily prevent infection and any infection can cause long covid. Yet we are still being gaslighted on this!

Volunteer on Skomer | The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales Skomer is an amazing island - but it couldn't run without our volunteers! We have short-term and long-term opportunities available, please see below for details.

Unpaid, but a wonderful place to be.
www.welshwildlife.org/volunteer-sk...

'I hold festive hikes after a lonely Christmas' Hikes are held in Northumberland and the Lake District to bring people who might be alone together.

Happy Christmas everyone. And thank you to Jay Mistry. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

A Winter Walk - by one of my favourite artists and printmakers, Hester Cox @hestercoxprint.bsky.social

More of Hester's stunning artwork, here: www.hestercox.com

#art #printmaking #fox #winter

The Strøget opens up into a large central space filled with people in central Copenhagen.

One of the most successful pedestrian streets in the world, the Strøget in Copenhagen, was filled with cars until a 2 year pedestrianization pilot project in 1962. The opposition argued “no cars means no business,” but the street has been a massive retail success, the city’s busiest shopping street.

Fellow parents! Carers! Anyone looking after children over half-term! Here is a thread of videos showing TOYS you can MAKE at home from scrap stuff you probably have lying around. First, the utterly delightful "balancing bird" alomshaha.com/balancing-bi...

Students react to UK rejoining Erasmus scheme as Tories accuse ministers of caving into EU British students will be able to spend a year studying at EU universities without paying extra fees, and vice versa for European students.

Small glimmers of hope - the restoration of UK access to Erasmus, a transformational educational exchange scheme www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c4...

Red squirrel in mid jump onto a fallen branch, front legs outstretched. The background is a mix of blurred fallen leaves, moss and grass

#SundaySquirrel is in a hurry to be here today
Cumbrian red squirrel
#UKwildlife #mammals

Yes. It’s heartbreaking.

Excellent as always.

More than 1,000 people have lost their lives .. barely a mention in the mainstream media

The Beaver Trust is advertising for a new Chief Executive. Not easy finding a link to the job advert other than via Facebook, but here’s the link to the recruitment pack. Closing date for applications is 10th December. #wildlife #beaver #speciesreintroduction beavertrust.org/wp-content/u...

Lake District sees more hay meadows restored Land in the Lake District, equivalent to the size of 23 football pitches, is restored.

I’ve only just seen this. A really good wildflower-rich hay meadow is a wonderful thing. #Cumbria www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Snacktime! 🐿️😍

During autumn, red squirrels scour their habitats for nuts, berries & other vital energy sources. They don't hibernate, so they cache lots of this foraged food in shallow holes and tree crevices to keep them going through the cold winter months.

🎥 Paul Burke

#NatureInFlux

Long COVID and Society This is the first book to bring together academics and activists living with Long COVID to explore the social impacts of the new complex chronic condition.

Now published! My edited book ‘Long COVID and Society’ - my introduction is free to read for everyone. Download from the link below and check out the others chapters too (Chapter 14, about LC children and families, is also open access)

link.springer.com/book/10.1007...

Japan live: Sanae Takaichi elected as Japan's first female prime minister Sanae Takaichi, leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, won the lower house vote to choose the next prime minister, clearing the way for her inauguration as the country's first female premier later in the day.

Japan live: Sanae Takaichi elected as Japan's first female prime minister reut.rs/4ne1PXy

Why María Machado Deserved the Nobel Peace Prize The Venezuelan opposition leader shows why participation matters.

Nobel Peace Prizes have often been awarded to people who fight autocracy. Maria Corina Machado fits right into that tradition

www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...

Rare ladybird recorded in the New Forest is a UK first The Little Arboreal Ladybirds have made their way to the UK across the English Channel.

A ladybird first for Britain

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

"What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of a difference you want to make" - Jane Goodall

We’re heartbroken to learn that Dr Jane Goodall has passed away, aged 91.

Dr Goodall was one of the true conservation giants of our time. Let’s honour her legacy by choosing to make a difference in the world - by protecting it.

Thank you, Jane, for everything you did for our planet. 💚

Within the first year of my daughter’s life, the Lionesses have won the Euros and the Red Roses have won the World Cup in front of sell-out crowds and huge tv audiences and it’s so wonderful to know she will grow up thinking that of course women play sport and of course everybody watches it

I think I can hear eider ducks calling in the background? Or am I imagining it? Lovely anyway.

Lovely.

The Covid Contracts: Follow the Money review – a devastating picture of the biggest spending scandal ever This rigorous look at the Tories’ ‘VIP lane’ for PPE suppliers during Covid raises questions about the motivations of those involved – ones that are almost too disgusting to contemplate

Small boats: TV coverage - day after day after day after day....

PPE scandal: TV coverage - let's stick this powerful, enraging documentary on at quarter past ten on a Sunday night.

I strongly second this! 👏🏾

When talking about science communication, I also always stress that *all* forms and forums of communication matter 🔄

Whether it’s a big, factually correct but details-lite TV show or movie…or just chatting to granny or your mates in a pub 🗣️

‘Just add water’: how to bring back ancient plants in a Norfolk ghost pond An expert team are resurrecting ice age ponds and finding rare species returning from a ‘perfect time capsule’

Some hopeful weekend reading.

“This is nature’s emergency recovery mechanism. We’ve buggered almost everything up but this will still bring them back.”