Philip Parker, 2010 Philip chose an event in 2010 when we asked which moment in the last 26 years shaped the person you are today. He had just 46 words, 20:26. Here's how he responded...

Philip Parker, 2010 open.substack.com/pub/26writer... Today's 20:26 piece.

Irene Lofthouse on 26 'Atomiser of me' evocative image. As is 'Knell for my youth', now taking on adult role...

Alex Fenton, 2023 open.substack.com/pub/26writer... Evocative piece by Alex with some wonderful word images. A reflection that will pull heartstrings and stir memories. #26Writers #reflections #stories #memories #transformingmoments #livedexperience

A couple of visitors to the garden yesterday. In between bullfinches, goldfinches, blue tits, great tits, blackbirds, dunnock, wren, robin, collared dove, pigeon, magpie, house sparrow, crow. And frisky squirrels.

Louise Whitfield met a distant cousin when she visited #HarrogateLibrary on 21st Jan. Fiona Carnegie came along to see the celebration of Louise, the library and to chat at the end of the show.
Always brilliant to meet Carnegie family & explore links/stories handed down generations.

Saw three of these in garden this morning. Doing my count tomorrow

On the International Day of Education, book your place for BLF’s Education Programme, 24 June to 10 July 2026. With writers, poets, scientists and historians, all curriculum linked. Free for non-fee-paying schools and home educators: https://www.bradfordlitfest.co.uk/education-programme/

Irene Lofthouse on 26 Can be such a hard decision to make and take, applaud that determination & resilience. Uplifting to read and visualise.

Miranda Dickinson, 2004
open.substack.com/pub/26writer...
Another 20:26 piece. One I'm sure that so many will identify with.

Irene Lofthouse on 26 Another resonating piece. '... not me on the shelf' - an evocative ending.

Tony Clarke, 2013
open.substack.com/pub/26writer...
Another evocative piece from #26writers #20:26project. With just 46 words, writers share a seminal moment in time, and why it affected them so much. #writing #reflecting #lifechanges

Rob Self-Pierson on 26 Such an incredibly powerful 20:26. Talk about every word counting. And even more potent published today, 20th Jan, inauguration day in the US. To better times ahead, we hope, Regina.

Regina Beach, 2017
open.substack.com/pub/26writer...
One of the 20:26 pieces from #26 writers. We chose a moment in the last 26 years that shaped the person we are today. She had just 46 words, 20:26. Here's how Regina responded...

Only 7 tickets left for Meet Louise Whitfield. Listen #BBCRadioLeeds breakfast show Fri 9.15 for details of the show. Book now and make it a sell-out to celebrate #HarrogateCarnegieLibrary 120th anniversary. #Carnegie #womeninfluencers #philanthropy @literacy-trust.bsky.social #NationalReadingYear

And to you too. Just working on #IrenesOutings for2026... coming soon 🎄

Yuletide Greetings to all the people who've supported me over this difficult personal year, and all the folks I've worked, written, walked, talked, created and performed with.

And to everyone, have an Irenic 2026.

Irene Lofthouse in character as Louise Whitfield, in mauve dress, black hat, white gloves on a purple background. QR info on how to book

Meet Louise Whitfield #HarrogateCarnegieLibrary 21st Jan & already 1/3 of tickets booked. Library's 120th anniversary. Come and discover how Louise influenced #AndrewCarnegie #philanthropy before/after they married, & their rocky romance. #inspirationalwomen #hiddenhistory #drama #performance

Almost half of tickets now sold. Book early to ensure a seat at this one-woman theatre piece. Meet young and old Louise, Andrew's mother, and sundry characters. Discover how Harrogate Library received #Carnegie money to build such a beautiful edifice. @womenshistnet.bsky.social @balhnews.bsky.social

Gayle Lofthouse - 18/12/2025 - BBC Sounds West Yorkshire stories to make you smile, mid-morning updates and the music you love.

Here's the link if you missed my mellifluous tones.. on hashtag#GayleLofthouse (no relation)10.47 🌲
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/....

Hear me on BRADVENT #BBCRadioLeeds @bradford2025.co.uk to mark the end of the year. A short reflection tomorrow 7.20am Breakfast show, 10.50 on Daytimes. Pic of me a tree spirit performing my 'Travelling Trees' poem, part of #CliffeCastle's 75th anniversary, brilliant day. Thanks to #eretoere

Irene Lofthouse in character as Louise Whitfield, in mauve dress, black hat, white gloves on a purple background. QR info on how to book

Meet Louise Whitfield #HarrogateCarnegieLibrary 21st Jan & already 1/3 of tickets booked. Library's 120th anniversary. Come and discover how Louise influenced #AndrewCarnegie #philanthropy before/after they married, & their rocky romance. #inspirationalwomen #hiddenhistory #drama #performance

Hidden Bradford - The millionaires of the Wool Exchange - BBC Sounds Explore Bradford’s rise as the worsted wool capital.

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Recorded stories of Bradford with #BBCRadioLeeds earlier this year, as part of BBC's partnership with @bradford2025.co.uk. New BBC voice #HumairaBahm wandered with me to explore the City's history & heritage. #history #heritage #storytelling #research #myths #legends

Hewenden Viaduct, Cullingworth, West Yorkshire, UK, and The Eel Bridge, Piha, NZ. Hewenden ViaductThanks for reading!

Today's 26 Twinned Bridges is my collaboration with #BobHarvey. Hewenden Viaduct, Cullingworth, West Yorkshire, UK, and The Eel Bridge, Piha, NZ. open.substack.com/pub/26writer...

Bridge of Sighs, Oxford, UK and The 1865 Tāmaki River Bridge, Panmure, New Zealand Bridge of Sighs

Bridge of Sighs, Oxford, UK & 1865 Tāmaki River Bridge, Panmure, New Zealand. History, geography, cultural awareness across hemispheres. Evocative collaboration https://://open.substack.com/pub/26writersgroup/p/bridge-of-sighs-oxford-uk-and-the?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web

Irene Lofthouse on 26 Fascinating stories and wonderful evocative words. Learning so much from the twinning collaborations and places I've been to, but not seen what's described in the pieces.

26 Twinned Bridges project starts its Substack sharing today. Collaboration twixt 13 UK writers, 13 in Oz. #26writers Discover new places & writers.
Cody Dock Rolling Bridge, London, UK and Auckland Harbour Bridge, NZ. open.substack.com/pub/26writer...

Thanks to #HarrogateCarnegieLibrary for delving into their archives to enable me to weave original documents and information into my play about Louise. I'm learning so much about #Carnegie library buildings as I tour this show. @harrogateradio.bsky.social @magnorth.bsky.social

Irene in purple costume as Louise Whitfield, with a picture of the real Louise and Andrew Carnegie

Meet Louise Whitfield (aka Mrs Andrew Carnegie), at #HarrogateCarnegieLibrary 21 Jan, 2.30, part of the 120th anniversary celebrations. Discover how she influenced Andrew, their philanthropy, her contributions to the Carnegie trusts. Booking now, selling fast! Start 2026 with a hidden history.

'Mucky Beck' exhib launch #LouieHaslamChance Using beck water to explore effects of pollution on developed film, part of Our Turn 2025. Intro narration created/recorded by me, fitting as a BfdBeck volunteer. It's on til 5th Dec at Fourth Idea, Shipley BD17 7DA, Fri-Mon 10am - 5pm
#becks #rivers

Hidden Bradford - through waterways #BBCLeeds @bradfordlitfest.bsky.social #water #rivers @scriptyorkshire.bsky.social @menofworth.bsky.social @bradfordmuseums.bsky.social @wendysacksjones.bsky.social @ardeear.bsky.social @bradfordtanda.bsky.social

Mucky Beck exhib launch 14th Nov by #LouieHaslamChance in #Shipley. As vol #FriendofBradfordBeck, it's fab when folks explore, create, share research & events. Oh, and I wrote/recorded narrative that introduces the exhib. See you there. #muckybeck @bradford2025.co.uk @bdproducinghub.co.uk

Some images from #WalkingwithWords #DarkAngels in Berlin. Fascinating tour underground about success of tunnels each side of the Wall, how it went up, personal stories. Gained much more understanding of geography and effects on residents. Important right now #peace

Andrew (and Louise) was so passionate about Libraries. UK libs are under pressure, asked to do so much with so little. As Louise Whitfield/Carnegie, I'm touring celebrating Carnegie lib anniversaries, bringing histories to life & Louise's influential role in supporting UK libs. Image #CathMuldowney

2026 DATE Meet Louise Whitfield. Harrogate Library's 120th anniversary 2026 & 21 Jan Louise will be visiting to celebrate too. 'Felt like there was a whole cast of characters on stage - superb'. Hold the date - details of how to book coming soon. @magnorth.bsky.social @northyorkslit.bsky.social

Whispers from the Grave with Julia Varley - Undercliffe Cemetery Whispers from the Grave This new site-specific promenade play by local writer Ann Morgan, is inspired by one of Undercliffe Cemetery’s renowned residents. Julia Varley fought for the rights of women a...

Whispers from the Grave #AnnMorgan new site-specific piece #UndercliffeCemetery. 25th October, 2pm & 4pm (nearly full). How the ghost of #JuliaVarley deals with paternalist phantoms, supports #tradeunions #workersrights. One of #BradfordsBrilliantLasses
www.undercliffecemetery.co.uk/events/whisp...