Many thanks for this, on the strength of which I ordered two copies yesterday.

Also noting where (eg Southwark) green bins are not for green waste and perhaps highlighting urban councils (eg only Newham in London I think) where there is no separate food waste collection.

Speaking about her appointment, Chloe said:
"It is an absolute honour to have been appointed as the next Clerk of the Parliaments. I feel privileged to have been trusted to take forward this historic and important role that dates back over 700 years."

📄 Read more www.parliament.uk/business/new...

Chloe Mawson, appointed 66th Clerk of the Parliaments

Chloe Mawson has been appointed the 66th Clerk of the Parliaments and is the first woman to take up the post.

The Clerk of the Parliaments is head of the House of Lords Administration and Chief Procedural Adviser to the House.

Super post about science pioneer and namesake of @somervillecollege.bsky.social

Signpost with many locations punning the town’s name of Bulls.

Litter bin in Bulls, New Zealand , with the words Response-a-bull.

Maximum punning in Bulls, New Zealand.

Wall in gallery displaying three 16th century portraits. Left and right half length portraits of Queens Elizabeth I and Margaret of Navarre and in the centre a large full length portrait of King Henry VIII.

Half length portrait of Queen Elizabeth I wearing a pelican brooch. Her elaborate dress features many Tudor roses.

A very #Tudor time at Liverpool’s Walker Art Gallery yesterday, with the unexpected treat of a volunteer playing period music on the lute. I otherwise had the early galleries mostly to myself, so was able to linger trying to count the Tudor roses on Elizabeth I’s very fine outfit.

Only one more week left to visit this excellent exhibition @lampallib.bsky.social. Like all their exhibitions it is small, thoughtfully curated, no need to book and free. Highly recommended to anyone interested in choral music.

Overview of an exhibition room including display panels and an upright piano and chairs.

Display case showing artefacts with the wall behind showing framed photos of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and contemporary musicians.

Open until 31 January (Wed to Sat) the Museum of Croydon has an interesting one-room exhibition about Croydon-born composer and campaigner Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. Good selection of images, several of which were new to me. Well worth a 30 minute visit and a shortish walk from East Croydon station.

Episode 423: Zara Anishanslin, The Forgotten Artists of the American Revolution Zara Anishanslin joins us to uncover the hidden world of artists, artisans, and makers who painted, stitched, and crafted the Revolution into being.

What does it mean to paint your way to freedom during the American Revolution?
Prince Demah was an enslaved man, a portrait artist trained in London, and a patriot soldier.
His story is nothing short of astonishing.
🔗 benfranklinsworld.com/423
#EarlyAmerica #Revolution250 #ArtHistory

History Day 2025 · History Day · University of London

Two weeks to go until History Day 2025! Take a look at some of the amazing organisations participating this year 🤩

Explore the different organisations and online collections on the History Day website: exhibitions.london.ac.uk/s/history-da...

#HistDay25 @senatehouselib.bsky.social

The inside of the Royal Albert Hall a few minutes before the start of the performance, with the orchestra and audience in place, the leader standing. The organ and balcony are lit with blue, purple and deep pink.

Last night’s concert by @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social and chorus was indeed a Titan. The programme and performance were stellar and Mahler 1 and Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms a memorable pairing. Outstanding solo by @westminsterabbey.bsky.social choir treble in the latter. A triumph all round.

The nearest library to central London with a resident heron on its pond is @lampallib.bsky.social. Visitors always welcome!

Really unusual heron pose. One for @everyheron.bsky.social. I’ve been observing herons since school days, enlisted with a friend by early wildlife broadcaster Phil Drabble to count nests in Staffordshire. I’ve never seen this.

The Reception of Cornelis Hop (1685-1762) as Legate of the States-General at the Court of Louis XV, 24 July 1719 Reception of the Dutch ambassador Cornelis Hop by the French king Louis XV, 24 July 1724. By L.M. Dumesnil, 1724. This was the first time an ambassador of the Republic was received at the French court...

Despite the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes #otd 1685 many Protestants in Paris attended services held on and off at the Residences of the Dutch or British Ambassadors. Revd William Beauvoir led Anglican services in English & French in Paris c.1716-1720. Records and letters @lampallib.bsky.social

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor 150 - This is Croydon Join the celebration. Discover the history. Be part of the legacy. You’re invited to join a season of celebratory performances, artworks, music and more to mark the 150th anniversary of Samuel Colerid...

Next up in the 150th birthday celebrations for brilliant #Croydon born and @rcmlondon.bsky.social educated composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, a weekend of activities 18 and 19 October. A new interactive exhibition opens at Croydon Museum 18 October (to 31 Jan).

www.culturecroydon.com/event/samuel...

Excitingly, this triptych has been the subject of a three year restoration and will be displayed at the Louvre before being returned to Les Moulins. The dates are 26 November to 4 March 2026.

Avenue des baobabs in Madagascar, with the avenue of trees set against a blue sky and sandy path. Photographed December 2024.

Bon soir

This is a great idea by my favourite @lampallib.bsky.social. The roles really are exciting, and not ones often suggested in careers advice. They include archivist, collections care and printed book librarians. The Lambeth Palace Library collection is astounding in quality and variety. Recommend!

Library passes for London’s Institute of Historical Research and Senate House, both part of the University of London, and a black badge with the inscription in white “IHR Making history together”.

Happy, excited and very grateful to be a fellow of @ihr.bsky.social for 2025-26. Much has changed since I last had an academic home, in 1982, including greatly increased diversity and extensive access to electronic sources. Delighted to belong to such a welcoming and inclusive community of scholars.

Ivory models of a crucifix (by a Huguenot artist) and two of the Virgin Mary.

Colourful porcelain model possibly of the three Maries.

Overview of conference in the V&A lecture theatre.

Unique opportunity to handle objects from the V&A collections in the lunch break of today’s Sacred Ceramics; devotional images in European porcelain event. 5 super presentations and 3 more to go. Many thanks to all concerned.

Many thanks for a wonderful post - of particular interest to me for its reference to my beloved great uncle Courtenay Crickmer. He lived in Letchworth (Elmscott in reference to William Morris) but my mother and family lived for many years in Gidea Park.

Large yellow stone castle, part of the fort in Colioure, south France, with a door surrounded by heart-shaped topiary. Photographed 24 September 2025.

Today is international world heart day. The 2025 theme is “don’t miss a beat”, encouraging individuals and organisations to raise awareness of how to promote heart health. The Castle at Colioure in S. France does its bit with its topiary heart, photographed last week. @bhfpolicy.bsky.social

Stage at the Royal Festival Hall London before the Junior Chineke! Orchestra arrived.

Chineke! concerts are always outstanding and exciting, but today’s concert by Junior Chineke (age 12-22) was a 1st for us. It was a great performance, including Averil Coleridge Taylor’s Sussex landscape (1939) and well up to Chineke’s high standards. Thank you Chineke! For your brilliance and hope.

Carthusian cell no 4 in Valdemossa Menorca with Chopin’s piano, a bust of him and music manuscript reproductions.

Letter dated 23 September 1953 from Pleyel confirming the identity of Chopin’s piano.

Overview of one of the three rooms in cell no 4 Valdemossa with view out to the walled garden with greenery and small fountain.

Otd 1953 piano manufacturers Pleyel confirmed the identity of the piano sent to composer Chopin for his winter in Menorca in 1838. His time staying in Carthusian cell no 4 was productive. George Sand was unimpressed. It snowed. He composed. We can still enjoy the results. Photographed last week.

Really looking forward to this. Likely to be of interest to @huguenotsociety.bsky.social as well as more widely.

Really looking forward to this!

Gustav Holst wearing his usual glasses and posing with a borrowed cap and pipe.

#GustavHolst, born otd 1874. This is my favourite photo of him, taken when he and his wife Isobel were in the USA in 1923. Daughter Isobel wrote « he was the happiest » person she knew. Photo now at his birthplace museum in Cheltenham. Lots more to see there and excellent mss scores online.

Stained glass window showing Samuel Johnson with the spires of Lichfield Cathedral in the background.

Many happy returns for the great lexicographer Dr Samuel Johnson, born in Lichfield otd 1709. This stained glass window is at his London house @drjohnsonshouse.bsky.social, a wonderful place to visit.

One of RVW’s top priorities was Isobel Holst, (she was 80 in 1956), the widow of his best friend and fellow composer Gustav Holst, who died in 1934. It is lovely that Ralph and Ursula continued to spend time with Isobel, and also that a kind letter survives from Gustav to Jessie Coleridge Taylor.