Terrible news. This is what “levelling up” really means after twelve years of austerity (and ACE funding cut by a third in that time): inadequate funds moved around, and touring programmes that brought great art to thousands around the country scrapped

While the DfT are doing crap photoshops to announce a potential new office block in Derby, the Japanese are opening new railway lines and announcing them like this. (Warning: have some tissues to hand if you're a parent) youtu.be/lseiJCAiF_o

Shocked this morning to read of the passing of Paul O’Grady. He was a larger than life member of our local community, a natural story teller and so funny. Above all of that, he was a truly kind man who fought for so many rights. RIP

Highlight of the weekend: visiting the 5” gauge miniature railway of Tim Godden TG & family in their Kent back garden. I only caused six derailments in the end; sorry Tim! 😬

It’s stuff like this that reminds me why I’m a member of Talyllyn Railway: everyone gets equal chances to volunteer in the roles they’d like, whoever they are. Perhaps this’ll send a message to heritage sites where things mightn’t seem quite so equal. talyllyn.co.uk/events/talylly…

This made me laugh A LOT!

My 12 year old son has introduced me to the trammel of Archimedes this evening. He built this himself from a YouTube video and thought I’d like it. What do you notice what do you wonder? Mary Pardoe Professor Smudge Geoff Wake 👇 TG PETER ABBOTT Pip - Mathematics Teachers of Maths

GREAT WEST'ERN LIMITED Last Sunday we had the pleasure of these three titans of stage and screen join us at the RHDR for a trip round the line and drinks in the bar car! TG

And absolutely massive thanks to both Samuel West 💙💛 and the RHDR whose amazing support for this day raised a considerable sum for the wonderful Railway Children (and to my great chum and co-conspirator Steve Town for just everything).

Passing an emergency law to change a Supreme Court decision you don't like sounds really useful. Unfortunately it's also fascist.

Move over, Sagrada Familia, I have a new favourite religious building.

‘O Captain! My Captain! Our fearful trip is done..’

Lessons in government from Liz Truss. See also 'How to Beat the Vikings' by Æthelred the Unready, 'Befriending your Barons' by King John, and 'Looking After your Nephews' by Richard III.

STUDENTS: REGISTER TO VOTE RIGHT NOW! The law is as follows. 1. You can register at home AND at your term-time address, if that's more convenient for you. 2. You can CHOOSE on the day where to vote. 3. But you can ONLY legally vote in ONE place on the day.

Please vote.

Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team Formula 1 it’s 100 years this year (19th October) when Count Louis Zborowski died Lesmo at Monza.

Having a German football manager is "a dark day for England", according to the Daily Mail. In other news, here's the Mail's founder, Lord Rothermere (great-grandfather of the current owner) with a German friend.