Thank you so much to @ByLeavesWeLive and @iforapglyn for selecting one of my #surburbia poems from A Landscape to Figure In @RedSquirrelPres for #bestScottishpoems published last year
scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk…
Dr Helen Boden @helenboden.bsky.social retweeted
Tonight, the American people sent a clear message — they want a politics that brings people together rather than divides them, and leaders who offer concrete solutions to the challenges they face.
These results were only possible because outstanding candidates stepped forward in every region of the country — including in areas once considered long shots. They came from different backgrounds and represented a range of political perspectives, but were united by shared values, a belief in public service, and a commitment to putting the people of their districts and states first.
We also owe a debt of gratitude to the thousands of election officials and volunteers from both parties who helped ensure a smooth election and carried out one of the most essential functions of our democracy.
While this administration has another two years in office, our job now is to roll up our sleeves, make changes wherever we have the power to do so, prevent further damage, and lay the groundwork for the future.
The new Prime Minister is writing a "10-year plan" for the UK. The arts and culture MUST be part of it. I've signed @_CFTA's petition urging @AndyBurnham to revitalise the arts – to revitalise the whole nation 🌱 Please join me: campaignforthearts.org/petit…
Dr Helen Boden @helenboden.bsky.social retweeted
Obituary of Douglas Dunn by James Campbell: theguardian.com/books/2026/o…
Dr Helen Boden @helenboden.bsky.social retweeted
Am I the only one who thinks it’s insane that we allow two stroke engine leaf blowers to operate in residential areas? Why do so many otherwise sensible people not recognize the extreme externality of that noise? On some of the most beautiful days of the year it’s practically impossible to be outside without exposure to 75-80db of droning noise.
Dr Helen Boden @helenboden.bsky.social retweeted
I can't claim to have any insight into the goings-on here but I'm so shaken by this continued devaluation of the arts, culture, and ntellectual discourse. On my colleagues and my own behalf, it makes me so sad and angry.
bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmly…
Dr Helen Boden @helenboden.bsky.social retweeted
Great to see this piece about Choral Evensong by a sitting MP. “We should not celebrate this simply as a remarkable broadcasting survival story. We should celebrate it because it represents something much bigger: a living part of our cultural heritage.” theguardian.com/music/2026/o…
Dr Helen Boden @helenboden.bsky.social retweeted
I worked recently wth a radio producer called Michael Umney on a radio programme about three villages in England.
He recorded people talking about their lives. The first episode is about Muker in Swaledale and starts at 11am on @BBCRadio4.
It may mention sheep.
Dr Helen Boden @helenboden.bsky.social retweeted
We shouldn't have a Quiet Carriage on the train.
We should have a NoisyCcarriage.
If you want to watch/listen to phone without headphones, or have loud and never-ending conversations, you go and sit in the Noisy Carriage.
Rest of the train is de facto Quiet.
Who's with me?
Dr Helen Boden @helenboden.bsky.social retweeted
Following @BBCRadio3 Lighthouse Day on Saturday, here is a compelling episode from the station’s glittering Sunday Feature strand on Robert Louis Stevenson, lighthouses, the sea, & the bonds between engineering & literature in Scotland’s culture
bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0031py…
For those with whom @MartinSLewis 's post on antisocial noise on public transport resonated: we need more of this (partial joke - it would probably work for me in most instances, but let's just make quiet the norm again, yeah?)
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sending Quiet Solidarity here
I am on a train right now. I have just in the past 5 minutes changed carriages because someone was watching a video loudly. 😩
Some of us are dealing with sensory issues, ill health, noise sensitivities and all sorts.
Just be thoughtful in public spaces. It costs nothing.
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Dr Helen Boden @helenboden.bsky.social retweeted
I am on a train right now. I have just in the past 5 minutes changed carriages because someone was watching a video loudly. 😩
Some of us are dealing with sensory issues, ill health, noise sensitivities and all sorts.
Just be thoughtful in public spaces. It costs nothing.
On a packed train with my family. Couple across the aisle both alternatively playing social media videos on speakers at full volume. Managed not to say anything until the woman started playing a documentary about serial killers. I'm here with my daughter.
I politely said "please could you turn it down it's not appropriate." To which she replied "I'm sure she's heard worse at school." I said that really wasn't her call to make and in general could she please reduce the volume.
Her response "Its a public train for heavens sake".
For me that's exactly why it is anti social (and what headphones were invented for). I'm wondering which one of us is out of kilter on this?
Ps I should note she did thankfully reduce the volume and we all left it there.
Dr Helen Boden @helenboden.bsky.social retweeted
Last night's #70UP was emotional viewing, especially the interview with Nick Hitchon, the Yorkshire farmer's son who became a physics professor in US. So sad to see this robust man reduced by illness but the care and support of his family was clear. I interviewed Up producer Claire Lewis about his final days and his 'unbelievable' commitment to his students (he was marking essays in his final days) timeshighereducation.com/new…
Dr Helen Boden @helenboden.bsky.social retweeted
If you're affected by the utter educational and cultural vandalism of course closures at Edinburgh University get in touch
I moved to Edinburgh in 1995 so that I could teach and research Scottish Literature (tho I was appointed to English Lit). Expected to be met with suspicion; far from it, I was welcomed. Didn't always agree with Cairns Craig, but some great work was done in ScotLit, then and since
This is absolutely dreadful news
heraldscotland.com/news/2655…
Dr Helen Boden @helenboden.bsky.social retweeted
An #Otwituary for cultural commentator #BonnieGreer
How to live without portfolio:
ask more questions, provide
fewer answers; disagree
agreeably; offer your truth
without assuming it to be
universal; counter hate with
reason; take it easy, but take it.
Petition: Moratorium on planning applications for all hyperscale data centres until their environmental impacts have been fully assessed petitions.parliament.scot/pe…
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