Clare M. Dowding
banner
claredowding.bsky.social
Clare M. Dowding
@claredowding.bsky.social
Welshwoman in London. University administrator. Independent researcher (medieval anchorites). Anglican Reader (lay minister). Warden of Readers Diocese of Southwark.
Reposted by Clare M. Dowding
Quick cartoon. I was hoping to stay unplugged this week but I saw some news and had to take a break to draw this out. I think we all needed to see it realized.
November 18, 2025 at 6:31 PM
It's not so much we can't see our own feet without tripping over them, more we can't see our own feet without shooting ourselves in them ...
#WALvJPN
November 15, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Oh this is going to be confusing; as a Cardiff girl, when I'm not supporting the team in red, I'm usually supporting the team in blue and black ...
#WALvJPN
November 15, 2025 at 5:50 PM
The concert at Lambeth Palace last month was stunning - this will be well worth a listen.
✨Introducing the world premiere recording of seven choral works from the Arundel Choirbook, one of the most significant collections of English polyphony from the early 16th century.

The full album will be available 28th November but you can listen to a single now on Spotify ✨
November 14, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Reposted by Clare M. Dowding
This timeline cleanse brought to you by a beer can race at a hockey game.
🏒 🍺
November 12, 2025 at 2:03 PM
It was wonderful to be at Holy Cross Motspur Park in September as they celebrated a combined 90 years of ministry from their Readers, including a half-century by Ken Dovey:
@southwark.anglican.org
Fifty years a Reader - The Diocese of Southwark
My vicar, Rev. Canon Rachel Taylor, once said to me ‘are you a cradle Anglican Ken?’, well I suppose that I am....
southwark.anglican.org
November 12, 2025 at 8:06 PM
A very happy Blowing Up A Dead Whale Isn't Necessarily A Great Idea Day to all who celebrate ...
It’s 12 November, so it’s time to mark the 55th anniversary of the exploding whale of Oregon, an attempt to clear a cetacean carcass from a beach which prompted one reporter to say “The blast blasted blubber beyond all believable bounds”
November 12, 2025 at 11:05 AM
The medieval scholar Michael G Sargent; I have photos of him dressing up with a helmet, shield and sword at a Viking heritage centre in Minnesota, and he was having a wonderful time!
(Not posting the photos as there are other people in them and it was 14 years ago so I can't remember who they are.)
Right, enough of James Watson - who's a senior academic you've met who's been an utter delight?

I'll go first: Jocelyn Bell Burnell
November 8, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Reposted by Clare M. Dowding
So far this year, our Bursary Fund has helped 71 people to go on retreat. Would you like time to pray, but need help to finance your time away? We can help! Find out more on promotingretreats.org/bursary #prayer #retreat #bursary
November 8, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Reposted by Clare M. Dowding
Prepare for Christmas with an Advent retreat or quiet day. There are dozens (across the UK and online) listed in our calendar. Visit promotingretreats.org to find out more #prayer #retreat
November 7, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Reposted by Clare M. Dowding
Prepare for Christmas with an Advent retreat or quiet day. There are dozens listed in our online calendar. Visit promotingretreats.org to find out more #Advent #retreat #quietday #Christmas
November 6, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Really not the point of the Guardian piece on Joe Marler, but my estimation of Adam Jones (which was already fairly high) has just gone up:
November 5, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Reposted by Clare M. Dowding
The next online oasis retreat day will be on Tuesday 11 Nov. Book your place now, or find out more, by emailing janefranklinretreats@gmail.com #retreat #grief
November 5, 2025 at 6:32 AM
I think I may be spending Too Much Time Online: I've just seen a large cat trotting through my parents' garden, and the words "ooh, chonky boi" came out of my mouth ...
November 4, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Reposted by Clare M. Dowding
Here's a #HigherEducationPostcard of @royalholloway.bsky.social

Founded in 1879 by Thomas Holloway, who had made his fortune selling patent medicines, it was one of @londonu.bsky.social's colleges for women

If you like this image, please retweet it - remember, BlueSky has #NoAlgorithm
November 4, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Reposted by Clare M. Dowding
Good morning etymological skylarks. When you host a party do you (a) give it, (b) hold it, (c) throw it or (d) lay it on?
November 3, 2025 at 10:57 AM
It's the small things which make a big difference:
November 2, 2025 at 7:18 PM
The situation in Nicaragua doesn't often make headlines, but when it does, it feels like things just keep getting worse:
Inside Nicaragua’s assassination network | The Observer
Nicaraguan exiles fear the long hand of Ortega after dissidents of the dictator’s brutal regime were killed in Costa Rica
observer.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Reposted by Clare M. Dowding
A Pastoral Letter on LLF (Living in Love and Faith) and the Inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people in the Church of England from The Provincial Council of the Society of Catholic Priests (SCP) Europe.

www.societyofcatholicpriests.com/scp-news/liv...
A Pastoral Letter - LLF & Inclusion — The Society of Catholic Priests | European Province
Pastoral Letter on Living in Love and Faith (LLF) and the Inclusion of LGBTQIA+ People in the Church of England   Copied to all Diocesan Bishops in the Church of England On 15th October, t...
www.societyofcatholicpriests.com
November 1, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Reposted by Clare M. Dowding
Looking for some pre-Advent retreat time, but can't get out? Join our online retreat with APR Chair Cameron Butland from 14-15 Nov. Download more info from the promotingretreats.org online calendar #retreat
October 31, 2025 at 6:49 AM
Quote post with your favourite reaction gif:
October 28, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Timeline cleanse:
October 28, 2025 at 10:31 AM
This is definitely worth a read.

And for what it's worth, I'm really enjoying Finn as a commentator on TMS for the Women's World Cup; he obviously enjoys it, and he sounds like a natural.
Steven Finn: ‘Saying I was not selectable was clumsy language and it damaged me’
In his candid new book, the former England fast bowler talks about the lasting mental turmoil that ended his 2013-14 Ashes tour
www.theguardian.com
October 27, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Reposted by Clare M. Dowding
"Tzefardea Tzedek" (Frog of Righteousness)

As soon as the Portland Frog became a meme, Jewish social media blew up with jokes about the 2nd Passover plague - tzefarde'a (frogs) - and the Rabbinical commentary around it. I knew I had to make a calligraphy piece encompassing all of it. (more in alt.)
October 25, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Reposted by Clare M. Dowding
'Going on retreat is more than just getting away from it all. It is getting away TO something: to, if you like, the heart of things, the reality behind all the rush of living' (APR archive 1966). Where will you go? promotingretreats.org #prayer #retreat #stillness
October 25, 2025 at 7:32 AM