🎧 Ep 267 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out Weds:
🤩 @enortonhistory.bsky.social talks about love of history, book ‘Women Who Ruled The World’ & Quick Six
🖼️ Plus story of elk bones at Museum in the Park
📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...
💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com
01.02.2026 09:26 — 👍 3 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
Really looking forward to chairing this event at Granite Noir crime writing festival next month - bringing a bit of Venice to Aberdeen with @essiefox.bsky.social and @dvbishop.com
28.01.2026 19:12 — 👍 4 🔁 2 💬 1 📌 0
Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast artwork
Jo and Phil at Harvington Hall
Wall paintings and fireplace at Harvington Hall
Harvington Hall from the outside with a lawn in front
🎧 Ep 266 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out now:
🤩 Phil Downing shares love of history & @harvingtonhall.bsky.social inc priest hides, History Fest & Quick Six
🖼️ Plus wall painting project at the Hall
📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...
💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com
28.01.2026 19:01 — 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
🎧 Ep 266 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out Weds:
🤩 Phil Downing shares love of history, @harvingtonhall.bsky.social inc priest hides, History Fest & Quick Six
🖼️ Wall painting restoration project at Hall
📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...
💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com
25.01.2026 09:44 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
🎧 Ep 265 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out Weds:
🤩 Amelia Thomas on listening to animals & What Sheep Think About The Weather
🪸 My chat with @russellarnott.bsky.social at 2025 Chelt Sci Fest on oceans
📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...
💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com
18.01.2026 21:34 — 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
🎧 Ep 264 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out now:
🤩 Jeff & Graham of @attheflicks.bsky.social return with our A-Z of science fiction cinema and it’s the letter B
🍿 Choices of listeners & guests
📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...
💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com
14.01.2026 19:34 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
🎧 Ep 264 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out Weds:
🤩 Jeff & Graham of @attheflicks.bsky.social return with our A-Z of science fiction cinema and it’s the letter B
🍿 Choices of listeners & guests
📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...
💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com
11.01.2026 23:03 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
🎧 Ep 263 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out Weds:
🤩 Dr Camilla Stokholm has tips for a healthy 2026, her book What Your Doctor Eats & Quick Six
🫒 Faith Douglas has our A-Z of plants - O is for olive
📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...
💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com
04.01.2026 19:53 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
In 2025 I read 51 books! This is just a selection pictured! Mostly for in conversation events or Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast. And rarely just for pleasure!
@annamazz.bsky.social @maxjtelford.bsky.social @susiedentwords.bsky.social @christopheredge.bsky.social @marianne-brown.bsky.social
28.12.2025 13:09 — 👍 6 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
Jo sits in front of a decorated Christmas tree
Wishing a very Happy Christmas to all friends, family, followers, listeners to JDBU & any radio outings & those I work with or meet at events 🎄✨
25.12.2025 14:45 — 👍 4 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast artwork
Jo and James chat (split screen)
Faith and Jo chat (split screen)
The plant Nandina Domestica which has green leaves with a tinge of red
🎧 Ep 262 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out now, the final one of 2025:
🤩 James Mayhew returns & chooses his Top 10 Theatre shows
🍃 Faith Douglas has our A-Z of plants - N is a popular evergreen
📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...
💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com
19.12.2025 08:18 — 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast artwork
Annie and Jo chat
Jo and Jamie chat
The Periodic Table
🎧 Ep 261 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out now:
🤩 @anniegarthwaite.bsky.social on women of Wars of the Roses in her novel Cecily & Quick Six
⚗️ @jamiebgall.co.uk on why names of elements can be complex
📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...
💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com
14.12.2025 11:35 — 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
🎧 Ep 261 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out Weds:
🤩 @anniegarthwaite.bsky.social on women of Wars of the Roses, her novel Cecily & Quick Six
⚗️ @jamiebgall.co.uk on why names of elements can be complex
📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...
💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com
08.12.2025 08:57 — 👍 6 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
Looking forward to recording the next ep on A-Z of sci-fi cinema with Jeff & Graham of @attheflicks.bsky.social for Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast.
It’s the letter B & I’ve watched Back To The Future trilogy!
What are your fav films/themes/people?
@muttleybloke.bsky.social
06.12.2025 13:16 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
🎧 Ep 260 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out Weds:
🤩 @nicolatallis.bsky.social talks about women from history she’s written about inc Young Elizabeth
💿 Story of gramaphone at Holst Victorian House
📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...
💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com
01.12.2025 09:14 — 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
🎧 Ep 259 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out Weds:
🤩 @adamhartscience.bsky.social myth busts extinction & de-extinction
🦤 We also visit @uclgrantmuseum.bsky.social to learn about a famous extinct bird
📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...
💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com
25.11.2025 21:50 — 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
🕵🏼♀️ I had the chance to visit the King’s Bastion in Gloucester. It’s rarely opened up but I got to chat with @andyrpglevum.bsky.social & Amy Washington @museumofgloucester.bsky.social about the history beneath our feet.
🎧 Listen to BBC Sounds Secret Gloucestershire: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
23.11.2025 16:41 — 👍 4 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
🎧 Ep 258 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out:
🤩 @charliecreed.bsky.social talks about career & book The Cats Tales, about feline folklore & fairy tales!
🦠 Faith Douglas has A-Z of Plants & it’s M for Moss
📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...
💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com
19.11.2025 08:34 — 👍 3 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
Rick and Jo on stage
Rick and Jo in conversation
Rick and Jo in conversation
Rick and Jo in conversation
🎤 Last night I enjoyed being in conversation with Rick Stein at the Parabola Arts Centre in Cheltenham for @rossiterbooks.bsky.social - we spoke about his first Christmas cookery book & some of his festive memories & traditions. Lovely audience too!
15.11.2025 12:13 — 👍 4 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
Jo wears a white lace dress and black cardigan and holds a black and white cat teddy in the Harvington Hall gift shop
Jo and Little Humphrey - tuxedo cat with a fluffy tail - on wooden floorboards
Jo and Little Humphrey - tuxedo cat with a fluffy tail - on wooden floorboards
Little Humphrey - a fluffy tuxedo cat - being held
Today I returned to @harvingtonhall.bsky.social - more details soon! I couldn’t resist buying my own Little Humphrey teddy & my day was made when I was reunited with the real life cat who I met while hosting the History Fest in July 🐱🐾
And yes I did dress like a tuxedo cat especially 😂
13.11.2025 19:19 — 👍 2 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
🎧 Ep 257 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out today:
🤩 Jeff & Graham @attheflicks.bsky.social new series: A-Z of Sci-Fi cinema. “A” inc aliens, AI & asteroids
🍿 Suggestions inc @muttleybloke.bsky.social
📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...
💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com
12.11.2025 08:59 — 👍 2 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
Jo on stage at Harvington History Festival, wearing a red dress and white cardigan, sitting down interviewing
Jo on stage at Gloucester History Festival, wearing a black dress with gold stars and gold shrug, sitting down interviewing
Jo in her home studio with headphones on and space backdrop, wearing a white top and blue cardigan
Jo in the studio at BBC Radio Gloucestershire with headphones on and microphone in front of her, wearing a blue dress with small white harts on and a blue denim jacket with a TARDIS pin badge on
It’s been two years since I left my full time staff job at the BBC, after 20 years, to go freelance. It was a big leap of faith & it’s taken a lot of hard work, tenacity & determination to make a success of my new freelance career. I’m so proud of what I have achieved & glad that I did take a risk ❤️
09.11.2025 12:06 — 👍 4 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Jo wears a red dress, cardigan and shoes, sitting on stage in a stripy chair and with a red rug on the floor
Jo wears a red dress with white flowers on, red cardigan and a poppy on
A belated #FashionFriday wearing a red tea dress with white flowers, red cardigan & my favourite red shoes - on stage at @stroudbookfestival.bsky.social last night
08.11.2025 10:04 — 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Pete, Nadine, Stephen, Elizabeth and Jo on stage
Jo on stage
Remember remember the fifth of November 💥 Back in July I had the pleasure of chairing a panel exploding the myths of the Gunpowder Plot with @elegantfowl.bsky.social @misswalsingham.bsky.social Prof Stephen Alford and @enortonhistory.bsky.social at @harvingtonhall.bsky.social History Festival
05.11.2025 18:20 — 👍 5 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
Rick Stein's latest book is another beauty!
Filled with recipes and memories it is a wonderful festive treat.
Join us for an evening with Rick in #Cheltenham on Friday 14th November 7pm for what promises to be a great evening!
@joannadurrant.bsky.social
www.ticketsource.co.uk/rossiterbook...
05.11.2025 11:50 — 👍 1 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
Charlie, Jo and Daisy on stage
Jo on stage laughing
Daisy, Charlie and Jo in conversation on stage
Jo, Charlie and Daisy on stage, taken from wings. Black and white image
Enjoyed a brilliant evening on Friday at @cirenhistoryfest.bsky.social on Halloween, in conversation with Charlie & Daisy May Cooper about their new series Nightwatch. It was such a fun evening and a sell out! Thanks for asking me!
Photos (1-3): @paulawhitcher.bsky.social & B&W photo: Olivia Dale
02.11.2025 10:25 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
A list of events in November and image of Jo in top right corner, purple background
My November events:
🦆 Sat 1st: FW Harvey Panel inc @stewartcarswell.co.uk @jasonfod.bsky.social
🕵🏼♀️ Fri 7th: @mandy-mjrobotham.bsky.social & Dr Claire Hubbard-Hall at @stroudbookfestival.bsky.social
🍽️ Fri 14th: Rick Stein @rossiterbooks.bsky.social
🎤 Tues 25th: Talk at Ribston
jodurrant.co.uk
01.11.2025 09:15 — 👍 0 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
Dangerous is my latest novel. A dark historical crime mystery, featuring Lord Byron in Venice and a spate of Vampiric style killings. Is he innocent or guilty?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dangerous-riveting-historical-BESTSELLING-Fascination/dp/1916788440
Writes Cesare Aldo historical thrillers set in Renaissance Italy • SHADOW OF MADNESS coming July 9th, pre-order here: https://linktr.ee/D.V.Bishop • Free newsletter: https://dvbishop.substack.com • Rep: @jennybrownagency.bsky.social • Ex-Tharg
Stories, sights & secrets of space
Astronomy writer, author & speaker
Asteroid (15347) Colinstuart
More space stories like these (free):
astroclub.colinstuart.net
Visitor guide/historian at the Guild Chapel, Stratford-upon-Avon. Interested in medieval wall paintings & historic graffiti. Author of Writing on Shakespeare's Walls https://www.youcaxton.co.uk/writing-on-shakespeares-walls/
A student-run society at the University of Oxford, dedicated to improving access to skills and careers in science communication. Find out more at ossce.org.uk
Writer, The Cutting Room, Plague Times Trilogy, To the Dogs & more. Prof Creative Writing, Glasgow University. Hon Prez Scottish PEN. Podcast Who Owns the Clyde. Librettist Anthropocene. Theatre, movies, cats, life 🏳️🌈
Writer from Bristol. The Cat's Tales: Feline Fairy Tales and Folklore, published 23 October 2025 by @eandtbooks.bsky.social
https://eandtbooks.com/books/the-cats-tales/
Enjoying the history of the European space adventure. Continuing from @ESA_History on Twitter.
See our other channels: https://linktr.ee/european_space_history
Stroud Book Festival is a celebration of stories, ideas & community for readers of all ages 📖 Hold the date - 5-9 Nov 2025✨ Also hosts of the Laurie Lee Prize
@ucl.ac.uk’s Grant Museum of Zoology is one of the UK’s oldest natural history collections and home to some of the world’s rarest specimens.
Find out more: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/museums-collections/ucl-grant-museum-zoology
Led by @suttonprofessor.bsky.social and Deputy Director Professor Paula Reavey, the Centre @stir.ac.uk is a dynamic, collaborative, interdisciplinary research project advancing knowledge in relations between place and memory - placememory.net
Tactile.
Cats, mostly.
Jack Crawford sent a trainee…. to me? https://boxd.it/77uR
BFFs with Jamie Lee Curtis and Samuel L Jackson.
Help the Octopus🐙 https://secure.peta.org.uk/page/97239/action/1?locale=en-GB
BELIEVE WOMEN.
Poet, singer songwriter, keyboard & accordion player, actor, Worcestershire Poet Laureate 2015/16 https://wastiesspace.co.uk/ https://linktr.ee/heatherwastie
Times and Sunday Times best-selling author
Medieval Historian
Mother of Doggos
SCEPTRED ISLE: A NEW HISTORY OF THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY OUT MAY 2025 (Hutchinson Heinemann, Penguin Random House)
PhD candidate University of Birmingham researching nineteenth century smallpox epidemic in Gloucester. Former nurse, now outreach teacher with hospital education.
Radio/Podcast producer and co-author of film music book Mark Kermode's Surround Sound: The Stories of Movie Music, out now!
More info at www.jennynelson.co.uk
Science writer and author of The Elephant in the Room: How to Stop Making Ourselves and Other Animals Sick (Icon Books, April 2025 and University of Chicago Press, May 2025). Co-author of Furry Logic: the Physics of Animal Life.
Historian and Archaeologist. Author of The Lives of Tudor Women and England’s Queens. Appears on TV. Likes travel.
Award-winning buildings archaeologist. FSA. Mediaeval mythbuster. Castles. Old pubs. Theatre. Alan Garner. Cats. Live music. Ex-roadie.
Triskele Heritage
https://triskeleheritage.com
Based in Nottingham, UK
Incoherent superposition of education, writing, editing, consulting, outreach, and partnerships. Resonances include #author #teacher #LEGO #Physics #books www.youtube.com/drbenstill