Ian Webb

Etymology of the day: spiders were once known as ‘attercops’, or ‘poison-heads’, because it was believed most spiders were venomous. The ‘cop’ element became the ‘cob’ in ‘cobweb’.

Sorry it was a bit cynical! (Another reason for me to stay away from CT!)

It’s like waiting for evidence of that Gen Z revival.

It got to the point I was only reading Malcolm Guite’s piece on the back page because everything else was too depressing! I’d rather go over to the Tablet if anything…

Brexit ideology was shaped in the 1990s, when great power conflict was largely over, European security was no longer at issue & the US underpinned a global free-trading system.

It was applied in a world more like the '70s, defined by great power conflict, resurgent protectionism & an unreliable US.

There are barely any such clubs left up here anyway. The working men are mostly drinking at home now or if they’re tradesmen down at the golf club (and we know that’s more Nige’s scene).

I wonder if there’s a personality thing here? Some love themes, some social/industrial, others big power politics. The key thing for me is to ‘hook’ kids in so they gain a love for the subject. In my kid’s school barely anyone is choosing it as an option…

Aside from the lousy arguments, it’s terrible writing.

Withdrawal of ministry until the situation is resolved. Should focus minds.

I’d not heard of this - what a fab idea. 💡

National Trust raises fees to £3,000 for family life memberships Charity squeezes an extra 25pc from members over three years

National Trust membership for a family costs £14.05 a month. A Telegraph subscription costs £104 a month. And don’t get me started on the quality of the product.

Word of the day is ‘huff-snuff’ (16th century): a hectoring bully or braggart.

Portuguese editorial cartoonist Zez Vaz reaches back to Tiananmen Square to call on American defiance.

Save The Prince Charles Cinema The iconic Prince Charles Cinema in London’s West End future is under serious threat! We are beyond disappointed that our landlords Zedwell LSQ Ltd and their ultimate parent company Criterion Capital...

So good to see the momentum building in this campaign for vital, grassroots #cofe governance 🙏

you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...

YouTube video by Larry & Paul What Is Causing Extreme Weather? - #BrokenNews

⚠️ BREAKING: What Is Causing Extreme Weather?

👇🏻 Please watch this latest #BrokenNews report, then share.

youtu.be/_X2p9dMsNFY?...

C of E should offer working-class people apprenticeships, Burnley vicar says Rev Alex Frost calls for church to encourage vocations as an alternative to theological studies

My Church of England Private Members Motion on working class vocations will be debated at next months General Synod in London. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

A handwritten 17th century document.

A transcription of the document, which reads: The 13 of November Robert Fanshaw the elder came about the Chapel to do some injury therein as I think. The 17 of November the same Robert Fanshaw came to the Chapel when the Children had new dined and in threatening wise said “come forth or I will lock you in the Chapel”, and they being afraid, came forth, and some left their hats, some their books, and some their satchels, and they desired him to let them take their things forth of the Chapel in going and coming after him three or four several times, but he would not. And the lordship did send two honest men to have the key again, but in no wise would he part with it, but gave them crooked answers. The 20 of November his man (whose name is yet unknown by me), in the morning as the children were making their fire (I being in the over Chapel with one [child] with me), he thrust the children out of the nether Chapel and shut the door, and I asked him what he meant by that, and he said he would keep possession there, and I thrust the door from me, and he let it open, and said it was sure against his will for to let me in, “for” said he, “I see I can make no good fastness of it”. Then at eleven o’clock, Robert Fanshaw the elder…

Another 3000 followers request came from @ianwebby.bsky.social‬, the vicar of Holmesfield Church, so here's an early 1600s document in the Holmesfield archive: an allegation against Robert Fanshaw of nefarious doings in the chapel. Sadly it's unfinished so we don't know what happened next.

Wow amazing thanks for this! 👍

Every time an organisation (e.g. recently some #CofE dioceses) puts out a post out on other place saying they are leaving it, the comments provide overwhelming evidence that they have indeed made the right decision 😁

My father would womanize, he would start land wars with Denmark. He would make outrageous claims like claiming ownership of Greenland. Sometimes he would refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.

The first episode was so poor we’ve decided to abandon it! Shame as the first season was good.

“We can disagree and still love each other unless your disagreement is rooted in my oppression and denial of my humanity and right to exist”

James Baldwin

Humphrey’s world: how the Samuel Smith beer baron built Britain’s strangest pub chain Since the 1970s, Humphrey Smith has acquired scores of pubs and historic properties around the UK. But time after time, he has left the buildings empty. Why has he allowed his empire to moulder?

A well-deserved happy Christmas to whoever did the lawyering on this piece.

Awesome work.

www.theguardian.com/news/2024/de...

"Tolerance becomes a crime when applied to evil."

Thomas Mann

Well done on getting to 3k! Please post something about Holmesfield Church (St. Swithin’s), where I am the vicar!

Once again, a thread for the Brexit ignorant 

1/ All countries start with their own market standards, regulated & customs territory. If an outsider wants to sell on it you must prove you meet its standards & pay a tariff at its border

Much of the United Kingdom is under a continuous blanket of grey clouds all week so to bring some colour into your Bluesky (fat chance) feed, here's some colourful sunsets. Would be great to see a few of these again! @stormhour.bsky.social @thephotohour.bsky.social
@metoffice.bsky.social

A view out towards Surprise View near Longshaw Estate in the Peak District.

Day off view @nationaltrust.bsky.social Longshaw @peakdistrict.bsky.social