Howard Hardiman
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badgerandvole.bsky.social
Howard Hardiman
@badgerandvole.bsky.social
Artist on a tiny island
I've just sent my new book to print! It's a collection of sketches, photos and stories from the last couple of years, when I've been recovering from long covid and learning dry stone dyke building from the island's octogenarian resident expert.
November 27, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Ruth and Reynir at Sanday Wildlife Rescue. Reynir is a rescue otter who will need care for the next ten years. I was lucky enough to meet with her and Ruth so you can hear their story!

youtu.be/ejzEcs2qxmA?...
Reynir the Rescue Otter
YouTube video by Howard Hardiman
youtu.be
October 26, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Another update from the book I'm working on. This time, A Museum for One explores the odd things I've found inside some of the dykes on the island of Sanday in Orkney while repairing them!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/bad...
August 14, 2025 at 3:58 PM
And, in otter news:
August 13, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Reposted by Howard Hardiman
Here's some exciting news about a dig and a nearby dyke on the island of Sanday in Orkney!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/bad...
August 11, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Reposted by Howard Hardiman
Buried in The Observer yesterday was this: UK police knocking on doors demanding details of social media accounts of people, to pass to a foreign government, simply because they happen to live near where a US politician wanted to have a holiday observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
August 11, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Reposted by Howard Hardiman
excuse me *taps microphone* this is deeply abnormal
WASHINGTON (AP) — Trump says he's placing Washington, DC, police department under federal control and deploying the National Guard.
August 11, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Here's some exciting news about a dig and a nearby dyke on the island of Sanday in Orkney!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/bad...
August 11, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Reposted by Howard Hardiman
It's not me who needs to "get a grip." This is the reality of the Trump administration: it is fascist. You can pretend that everything is all sunshine and rainbows all you like, but that's the reality.
April 19, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Happy Easter!
April 19, 2025 at 6:59 PM
I'm thrilled to let you know that my little book about the dry stone dykes, buildings and cairns on the tiny island of Sanday is... fully funded!

There's only three days left if you'd like to back the project, which (obviously) I highly recommend you do!
April 3, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Reposted by Howard Hardiman
The Galloway Dyke was built in the 18th century and set the standard method for dyke construction on the island of Sanday in Orkney.

www.kickstarter.com/projects/bad...
Update 5: The Galloway Dyke · Rag Stones
The Galloway DykeJimmy drives me to the south end of the island, turning off the road for the ferry to the one that leads to Stove. Either side of us, the land rises - sandy terrain towards Warsetter ...
www.kickstarter.com
March 26, 2025 at 11:01 AM
A bit of a history lesson if you want to know about the dykes on a small island!
March 26, 2025 at 11:01 AM
I'm really happy to say my Kickstarter for a book about dry stone walling on a little island is 80% funded!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/bad...
Update 4: Over 80% Funded! · Rag Stones
80% there, much like this repair!I'm really pleased to say that, with 16 days to go, Rag Stones is now more than 75% funded. I'm delighted to add that I've been given a small grant from Creative Scotl...
www.kickstarter.com
March 21, 2025 at 11:58 AM
I do like having an MSP who I don't feel like every interaction is an argument. Makes a huge change from living on the Isle of Wight!
March 17, 2025 at 8:11 PM
The cruelty is the point. And our craven leader thinks he can appease these sadistic people.
When I wrote my camps book, people sometimes had difficulty understanding how concentration-camp regimes were proud of what they were doing and wanted attention for it, even as they also hoped to keep many aspects secret and terrorize vulnerable classes. Anyway, this is what that looks like.
Leavitt: "We are encouraging illegal immigrants to actively self-deport to maybe save themselves from being in one of these fun videos."
March 17, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Reposted by Howard Hardiman
In response to Wes Streeting's claim over "over-diagnosis", says @rcpsych.bsky.social President Dr Lade Smith CBE aid the "rise in people with mental illness is being driven by real societal challenges and lack of available treatment” -

www.rcpsych.ac.uk/news-and-fea...
“Rise in people with mental illness being driven by real societal challenges and lack of available treatment” says RCPsych President
RCPsych President Dr Lade Smith CBE responds to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care's comments about the overdiagnosis of mental health conditions.
www.rcpsych.ac.uk
March 17, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Reposted by Howard Hardiman
I'm writing a book about dry stone dykes at the moment and I'm wondering what your local name is for the stones on the top of the wall, or other dyke anatomy terms!

For us on Sanday in Orkney, Rag Stones on top, heart for infill.

What's your local dry stone wall jargon?
March 13, 2025 at 5:45 PM
I'm writing a book about dry stone dykes at the moment and I'm wondering what your local name is for the stones on the top of the wall, or other dyke anatomy terms!

For us on Sanday in Orkney, Rag Stones on top, heart for infill.

What's your local dry stone wall jargon?
March 13, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Reposted by Howard Hardiman
Are you fascinated by the old dry stone structures you find on tiny islands?

Me too! Help me collect stories, drawings and photographs for Rag Stones, a book about the stones of Sanday.

www.kickstarter.com/projects/bad...
Rag Stones
A story told through the stone structures of the small island of Sanday in Orkney
www.kickstarter.com
March 9, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Reposted by Howard Hardiman
Environment Secretary Steve Reed MP ignores the question on concerns about welfare cuts and then says,'Only work can lead to a happy life.'

Very poor choice of words that.....
March 10, 2025 at 9:46 AM