Nick Addington

Freedom is just another name for “a gap in the law”.

Given what we know about the emissions associated with beef production, we should be placing as much emphasis on transitioning to chicken burgers as we are to EVs!

Why climate despair is a luxury Those facing flood and fire can’t afford to lose hope. Neither should we.

"Despair’s cheerleaders offer the same message that institutions all around us do: that power resides in the few, at the top. Part of resistance must consist in refusing to believe them..." Another brilliantly motivating read from @rebeccasolnit.bsky.social www.newstatesman.com/environment/...

An open letter to Nigel Farage - Bishop Steven's Blog Bishop Steven writes an open letter in response to Nigel Farage MP's immigration policy which was launched in Oxford this week.

A courteous but very impressive rebuke to Nigel Farage from the Bishop of Oxford.

"I heard no compassion in what you said...".

"I disagree profoundly with your attempts to ... increase fear of the stranger in our communities".

Do read.
blogs.oxford.anglican.org/an-open-lett...

I feel this is a general principle that makes real change so hard to achieve. It's not so much getting the new stuff started, it's getting the old things stopped.

Coalition formed to save A-listed brutalist Bernat Klein studio The dilapidated studio of textile designer Bernat Klein in the Borders is being sold at auction.

'It is being auctioned by Savills, which describes it as in need of modernisation..' > 'modernisation' is doing some heavy lifting there, as expected to cost up to £3m. Vital that someone with the experience & ability to raise that kind of cash is successful at auction. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

‘Whatever do you do up there?’ enquire certain English infidels. The answer? ‘Lady, if ya gotta ask, ya’ll never know’: David Profumo's piece of heaven in Highland Perthshire David Profumo on the joy and wonder of the Highlands.

If you, too, reside 'beyond the Tartan Curtain' you might be spitting out your porridge when you read about the author's account of moving to his 'Highland fastness' close by the 'low-key township' of Pitlochry... www.countrylife.co.uk/travel/whate...

Fascinating bit of Southside Glasgow history. First woman to hold a helicopter licence? Commuting from Ayrshire to Cathcart by chopper... In the 1930s? It's all here ⬇️

Maybe we could find ways of illustrating deadly weather events that put huge strain on public services, affect education, reduce productivity and endanger workers without images of ice creams, deckchairs and kids frolicking in fountains?
www.climatevisuals.org/how-do-you-p...

Cartoon by Stephen Collins for the Guardian, here's the script: [SCENE: THERE ARE TWO TALKING COCKROACHES, THEY ARE BBC BREAKFAST PRESENTERS] DAVE COCKROACH: Good morning! It’s Wednesday May, 76,000,002,018 AD You’re watching BBC Breakfast with me, Dave Cockroach SELINA COCKROACH: And me, Selina Cockroach DAVE COCKROACH: Well, today is set to be the hottest day ever recorded in Britain, as the sun swallows the Earth SELINA COCKROACH: What a scorcher! DAVE COCKROACH: Here to tell us More is Matt who’s down in sunny Brighton. Hi Matt! MATT COCKROACH [REPORTING FROM WHAT REMAINS OF BRIGHTON]: Morning Dave! Well, the sea is long since evaporated down here… But that hasn’t stopped every cockroach coming out to enjoy the glorious blood-red sun hovering ten feet above the ground. Great news for Ian Cockroach here, who sells ice creams How’s business Ian? IAN COCKROACH. LEANING OUT OF AN ICE CREAM VAN: I’m on fire [IAN COCKROACH CATCHES FIRE] DAVE COCKROACH: Ha ha! Oh dear I think Ian is - [DAVE COCKROACH CATCHES ON FIRE] [THE STUDIO IS ENGULFED IN FIRE]

hottest day of the year

Latest edition of this annual report on UK grant-making. Loads of data to play with and some helpful analyses by contributors from different perspectives. Draws on data published on 360 Giving's platform AND additional research to create the most comprehensive & up to date picture we have.

YouTube video by Drake Music Scotland 'Ocean of Stars' Whole Piece

Had the privilege of visiting Drake Music Scotland yesterday, meeting staff & some of the artists they work with. Supported by Wm Grant Foundation through our Scottish Culture & Heritage strand. This lovely piece for digital harp & cello = a great way to start your day: youtu.be/Y3MCMPxlusc?...

Projects index · Local Energy Scotland Learn about renewable energy projects in Scotland that are either community and locally owned, have community benefits or shared ownership.

Had a couple of conversations this week about the distribution of renewable community benefit funds in Scotland. Here's a directory (with map). Info on each fund is variable but contains links to fund managers and reports where available: localenergy.scot/projects-ove...

Magic Spad Theory, the Axis of Anecdotes and the Pyramid of Indifference. Why has it taken me so long to discover this Policy 101 note from Giles Wilkes?
www.civilservant.org.uk/library/Wilk...

‘Spiral of silence’: climate action is very popular, so why don’t people realise it? Researchers find 89% of people around the world want more to be done, but mistakenly assume their peers do not

Across the globe, a significant majority of people want their governments to take more action on climate change and for countries to work together to tackle it.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

What happened to all the clothing donated during the LA wildfires? Due to the sheer volume and different needs of fire victims, a lot of it ended up either in landfills or being shipped abroad.

In a humanitarian crisis, give money, not stuff. laist.com/news/what-ha...

YouTube video by OK Go OK Go - Love (Official Video)

Another one-take tour de force by the brilliant OK Go.
youtu.be/gz9BRl7DVSM?...

“Er, my question is really in two parts…”

From the new Private Eye, out now.

(1/3) ☀️We are hiring: Festival Manager

Enthusiastic about events? Ready to make a mark on Glasgow's cultural heritage scene? Glasgow Doors Open Days wants YOU as our new Festival Manager!

Angus winds topple one of Scotland’s most important Pictish relics The centuries old Aberlemno cross slab, near Forfar, has been snapped at its base. It is considered by many to be one of Scotland's most significant Pictish stones.

I'd been worrying about our heritage trees being felled by increasingly severe winter storms. But our heritage stones?! www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/5194...

Thanks - will read with interest.

International aid groups axe thousands of jobs in wake of Trump funding freeze Fears that cuts will ‘decimate’ ability to react to crises as sector loses expertise and skills at every level, report finds

In our team, we've been talking a lot recently about how to withdraw from long-term funding relationships responsibly, in a way that preserves legacy and doesn't harm the funded partner. Meanwhile... www.theguardian.com/global-devel...

Welcome new grants programme offering modest but very useful multi-yr revenue grants for community facilities in Scotland serving people affected by poverty or trauma.

Frankly, 2070 seems optimistic to me.

Global economy could face 50% loss in GDP between 2070 and 2090 from climate shocks, say actuaries Exclusive: Report by risk experts says previous assessments ignored severe effects of climate crisis

"You can’t have an economy without a society, and a society needs somewhere to live." www.theguardian.com/environment/...

A stick on a woodland floor covered with fine white ice filaments resembling feathers.

Some fine examples of frost flowers, aka feather frost, in my local woods this morning.

2024:
30 years in Scotland,
20 years a parent,
10 years at William Grant Foundation,
and - because it's good for old dogs to learn new tricks - 1 year of rollerskating.
Best wishes for 2025 when it arrives!

Image in my profile banner is from AG's mural at Greenbank Church, Clarkston.

From time to time, I post threads about monuments and other interesting sites I've visited. Going to be doing that on Bluesky in future. Do follow my other account @totheobelisk.bsky.social if that's of any interest. Got a bit of a backlog from 2024 that I hope to make a start on over the holidays!

Architecture: Rowan Moore’s five best projects of 2024 A front garden makeover with dinosaurs, a playful addition to a Scottish castle and the latest from Shard architect Renzo Piano all caught the eye

Nice to see the new studios at Hospitalfield in Arbroath in this architectural top 5. Wm Grant Foundation is helping to fund the public engagement programme there under our Scottish Culture and Heritage theme.
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...