Alison Stenning
@alisonstenning.bsky.social
Geographer - Professor - Mum - Playing - #playstreets - Cycling - #kidicalmass - #WarOnCars - Walking - Noticing - Green - North Tyneside - North Shields - UK
Pinned
Hello 👋 I’m here for the chat about (geographies of) (urban) play and everyday mobility, esp children’s, along with neighbourhoods and community; bits on austerity, class & social change; climate & environment; but also the north-east of England (esp Tyneside); and some higher education too.
January 2, 2026 at 1:36 PM
Reposted by Alison Stenning
Did you have snow overnight/today? #UKSnow
I’m researching public attitudes towards clearing Snow and Ice in the UK. Are you over the age of 18 and live in the UK? If so, you can take part in my research by clicking this link (details inside)
app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/liverpool/...
I’m researching public attitudes towards clearing Snow and Ice in the UK. Are you over the age of 18 and live in the UK? If so, you can take part in my research by clicking this link (details inside)
app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/liverpool/...
Public Attitudes to Snow and Ice on Pavements and Roads
Online surveys is a powerful, easy to use tool for creating online surveys. Run by Jisc, online surveys is used by over 300 different organisations in the UK...
app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk
January 2, 2026 at 8:41 AM
Did you have snow overnight/today? #UKSnow
I’m researching public attitudes towards clearing Snow and Ice in the UK. Are you over the age of 18 and live in the UK? If so, you can take part in my research by clicking this link (details inside)
app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/liverpool/...
I’m researching public attitudes towards clearing Snow and Ice in the UK. Are you over the age of 18 and live in the UK? If so, you can take part in my research by clicking this link (details inside)
app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/liverpool/...
Reposted by Alison Stenning
Really nice example of the way in which the perceived value of social and cultural infrastructure changes over time.
To celebrate its 75th anniversary the Southbank Centre will host an exhibition on skateboarding at the Undercroft below the Queen Elizabeth Hall in what lays claim to being the world’s oldest continually used skate spot
www.southbankcentre.co.uk/venues/outdo...
www.southbankcentre.co.uk/venues/outdo...
January 1, 2026 at 3:52 PM
Really nice example of the way in which the perceived value of social and cultural infrastructure changes over time.
Reposted by Alison Stenning
An advert at Jesmond Metro Station in Newcastle. Bleak.
(Spotted by a friend who I believe added the sweary voice bubble – excuse the language)
(Spotted by a friend who I believe added the sweary voice bubble – excuse the language)
January 2, 2026 at 9:56 AM
An advert at Jesmond Metro Station in Newcastle. Bleak.
(Spotted by a friend who I believe added the sweary voice bubble – excuse the language)
(Spotted by a friend who I believe added the sweary voice bubble – excuse the language)
Reposted by Alison Stenning
Key passage in Mamdani's speech: "To those who say that the era of big government is over I say we will govern expansively and audaciously." Strong pledge to recuperate the transformative power of politics and rebuild interventionist political institutions.
January 1, 2026 at 8:10 PM
Key passage in Mamdani's speech: "To those who say that the era of big government is over I say we will govern expansively and audaciously." Strong pledge to recuperate the transformative power of politics and rebuild interventionist political institutions.
Reposted by Alison Stenning
There's an online launch for The Feminist Art of Walking Weds 28th Jan 6.30 on zoom. I'll be joined by some amazing artists and activists celebrated in the book so its gonna be special. More info TBC, sign up here for the link (free) tinyurl.com/FAoWONLINE @plutopress.bsky.social #NewBook #Feminist
January 1, 2026 at 4:33 PM
There's an online launch for The Feminist Art of Walking Weds 28th Jan 6.30 on zoom. I'll be joined by some amazing artists and activists celebrated in the book so its gonna be special. More info TBC, sign up here for the link (free) tinyurl.com/FAoWONLINE @plutopress.bsky.social #NewBook #Feminist
“there is the varying availability - and quality - of parks, playgrounds, and libraries depending on where you live … these public places are vital. "For young children, play is the stuff of life. This is how they operate, learn, interact … play is where the child is really pushing the boundaries"”
How the 'postcode lottery' of parenting impacts young children
BBC Radio 4's Today will follow six parents for five years, chronicling the ups and downs of looking after a young child in modern Britain.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 1, 2026 at 5:14 PM
“there is the varying availability - and quality - of parks, playgrounds, and libraries depending on where you live … these public places are vital. "For young children, play is the stuff of life. This is how they operate, learn, interact … play is where the child is really pushing the boundaries"”
Reposted by Alison Stenning
1st January 2026 16.08
January 1, 2026 at 4:21 PM
1st January 2026 16.08
Moody skies and rough seas at Tynemouth on New Year’s Day -
January 1, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Moody skies and rough seas at Tynemouth on New Year’s Day -
Reposted by Alison Stenning
E-cargo bikes sound pretty amazing in this new UK study:
"Parents’ and children’s enjoyment, curiosity, and sense of adventure encouraged additional travel, transforming routine journeys into playful and memorable family experiences."
doi.org/10.1016/j.tb...
"Parents’ and children’s enjoyment, curiosity, and sense of adventure encouraged additional travel, transforming routine journeys into playful and memorable family experiences."
doi.org/10.1016/j.tb...
December 31, 2025 at 2:43 PM
E-cargo bikes sound pretty amazing in this new UK study:
"Parents’ and children’s enjoyment, curiosity, and sense of adventure encouraged additional travel, transforming routine journeys into playful and memorable family experiences."
doi.org/10.1016/j.tb...
"Parents’ and children’s enjoyment, curiosity, and sense of adventure encouraged additional travel, transforming routine journeys into playful and memorable family experiences."
doi.org/10.1016/j.tb...
This is an incredibly beautiful and poignant set of photos from the Dutch Wadden Islands, of “zeehonden” in their landscapes.
Often brutal, always beautiful: the sea hounds of the Frisian Islands – in pictures
Often brutal, always beautiful: the sea hounds of the Frisian Islands – in pictures
For 10 years, the scientist and photographer Jeroen Hoekendijk has been observing pinnipeds (seals, sea lions and walruses) on the fragile North Sea archipelago. Highly susceptible to warming and rising seas, the islands act as an advance warning sign of the climate crisis
www.theguardian.com
January 1, 2026 at 9:23 AM
This is an incredibly beautiful and poignant set of photos from the Dutch Wadden Islands, of “zeehonden” in their landscapes.
Happy new year!
January 1, 2026 at 12:15 AM
Happy new year!
Reposted by Alison Stenning
Okay everybody! Please help me with this! Universities everywhere are increasingly awful, so let's put together some New Year's Resolutions to help them get better! I'll start!
1) Stand up for the importance of good education for good lives for people, society, and planet.
1) Stand up for the importance of good education for good lives for people, society, and planet.
December 30, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Okay everybody! Please help me with this! Universities everywhere are increasingly awful, so let's put together some New Year's Resolutions to help them get better! I'll start!
1) Stand up for the importance of good education for good lives for people, society, and planet.
1) Stand up for the importance of good education for good lives for people, society, and planet.
There is an awful lot of fietsgeluk in the responses to @gravelinfluencer.bsky.social’s post!
2025 wasn’t a great year for cycling for me, but I did pick up this secondhand hybrid (a joy to ride!), covered a good few everyday miles, and had some adventures.
2026 will be a better cycling year.
2025 wasn’t a great year for cycling for me, but I did pick up this secondhand hybrid (a joy to ride!), covered a good few everyday miles, and had some adventures.
2026 will be a better cycling year.
December 30, 2025 at 8:59 AM
There is an awful lot of fietsgeluk in the responses to @gravelinfluencer.bsky.social’s post!
2025 wasn’t a great year for cycling for me, but I did pick up this secondhand hybrid (a joy to ride!), covered a good few everyday miles, and had some adventures.
2026 will be a better cycling year.
2025 wasn’t a great year for cycling for me, but I did pick up this secondhand hybrid (a joy to ride!), covered a good few everyday miles, and had some adventures.
2026 will be a better cycling year.
Want to know more about the slightly odd estate, Village Court, between Norham Rd & Park View in Whitley Bay?
It started life in 1880
as Northumberland Village Homes for c.130 “destitute and homeless girls”.
Closed in 1985 and
converted to residential use.
co-curate.ncl.ac.uk/northumberla...
It started life in 1880
as Northumberland Village Homes for c.130 “destitute and homeless girls”.
Closed in 1985 and
converted to residential use.
co-curate.ncl.ac.uk/northumberla...
December 28, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Want to know more about the slightly odd estate, Village Court, between Norham Rd & Park View in Whitley Bay?
It started life in 1880
as Northumberland Village Homes for c.130 “destitute and homeless girls”.
Closed in 1985 and
converted to residential use.
co-curate.ncl.ac.uk/northumberla...
It started life in 1880
as Northumberland Village Homes for c.130 “destitute and homeless girls”.
Closed in 1985 and
converted to residential use.
co-curate.ncl.ac.uk/northumberla...
Ah, Sunday evening on the metro -
I had to run fast but I caught a once-an-hour bus. Phew.
I had to run fast but I caught a once-an-hour bus. Phew.
December 28, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Ah, Sunday evening on the metro -
I had to run fast but I caught a once-an-hour bus. Phew.
I had to run fast but I caught a once-an-hour bus. Phew.
Reposted by Alison Stenning
Giveaway!
I’m giving one lucky person the chance to pick one shelf of books from our Bertvent bookcase.
Follow and repost by midday on Saturday 27th and I’ll pick someone at random! Which shelf will you choose?
(UK only)
I’m giving one lucky person the chance to pick one shelf of books from our Bertvent bookcase.
Follow and repost by midday on Saturday 27th and I’ll pick someone at random! Which shelf will you choose?
(UK only)
December 24, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Giveaway!
I’m giving one lucky person the chance to pick one shelf of books from our Bertvent bookcase.
Follow and repost by midday on Saturday 27th and I’ll pick someone at random! Which shelf will you choose?
(UK only)
I’m giving one lucky person the chance to pick one shelf of books from our Bertvent bookcase.
Follow and repost by midday on Saturday 27th and I’ll pick someone at random! Which shelf will you choose?
(UK only)
Reposted by Alison Stenning
Just bumping the link for donations, if you can spare any moolah #DuvetKnowItsChristmas
www.gofundme.com/f/duvet-know...
www.gofundme.com/f/duvet-know...
Donate to Duvet Know It's Christmas, 2025, organized by Rhodri Marsden
Unbelievably, it's the 15th year of this thing.
What is it?
Improbably, the nig… Rhodri Marsden needs your support for Duvet Know It's Christmas, 2025
www.gofundme.com
December 24, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Just bumping the link for donations, if you can spare any moolah #DuvetKnowItsChristmas
www.gofundme.com/f/duvet-know...
www.gofundme.com/f/duvet-know...
Reposted by Alison Stenning
As the UK completely shuts down it's public transport for Christmas, remember that other countries are sane. In #Melbourne, for example, not only is public transport running, but its free to use on Christmas Day transport.vic.gov.au/news-and-res...
Public transport over the Christmas and Boxing Day Holidays
transport.vic.gov.au
December 24, 2025 at 2:46 PM
As the UK completely shuts down it's public transport for Christmas, remember that other countries are sane. In #Melbourne, for example, not only is public transport running, but its free to use on Christmas Day transport.vic.gov.au/news-and-res...
Reposted by Alison Stenning
Tomorrow evening it’ll be my annual duty to vaguely shepherd the activity on the #duvetknowitschristmas hashtag and urge people to give small sums to charity. 7.30pm? Something like that?
December 23, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Tomorrow evening it’ll be my annual duty to vaguely shepherd the activity on the #duvetknowitschristmas hashtag and urge people to give small sums to charity. 7.30pm? Something like that?
Reposted by Alison Stenning
Herring girls gutting fish on the quayside, North Shields, 1930s, photo by Edwin Smith (1912-71).
December 23, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Herring girls gutting fish on the quayside, North Shields, 1930s, photo by Edwin Smith (1912-71).
“These spaces are not just playing fields – they are vital infrastructure for health and wellbeing, community sport, and children’s play.”
www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/d...
Sport stars ‘deeply concerned’ playing fields will be lost under planning reforms
Sports playing fields and facilities are at risk of being built over en masse with devastating consequences, sports stars and governing bodies have warned
www.theguardian.com
December 23, 2025 at 11:23 AM
“These spaces are not just playing fields – they are vital infrastructure for health and wellbeing, community sport, and children’s play.”
www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/d...
Reposted by Alison Stenning
I hate it when places try to make their bike racks look like some sort of art sculpture.
December 22, 2025 at 7:51 PM
I hate it when places try to make their bike racks look like some sort of art sculpture.
A longer read about escaped slave Mary Ann Macham and her journey to North Shields in 1830, and just how remarkable it was:
“I am not sure I have ever come across a narrative where a woman made it to the United Kingdom.”
www.bbc.co.uk/news/extra/1...
“I am not sure I have ever come across a narrative where a woman made it to the United Kingdom.”
www.bbc.co.uk/news/extra/1...
From Slavery in Virginia to Freedom in the North East of England
How an enslaved woman fled America and found safety in the North East of England
www.bbc.co.uk
December 23, 2025 at 8:15 AM
A longer read about escaped slave Mary Ann Macham and her journey to North Shields in 1830, and just how remarkable it was:
“I am not sure I have ever come across a narrative where a woman made it to the United Kingdom.”
www.bbc.co.uk/news/extra/1...
“I am not sure I have ever come across a narrative where a woman made it to the United Kingdom.”
www.bbc.co.uk/news/extra/1...